A suspect was arrested Thursday, June 20 after Knox City Police Department officers received a report of a stolen white 2008 Ford Ranger from O’Reilly Auto Parts in Knox.
The incident happened just after 9 a.m. CT and after officers gathered more information a description of the suspect was obtained. A short time later, a Hamlet Police Department officer located the vehicle near Hamlet. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the suspect fled. A pursuit was initiated and it continued into La Porte County where the suspect, 26-year-old Beck Serles, drove the vehicle into a wooded area and fled on foot in Kingsford Heights.
After nearly four hours from when the incident was reported, Serles was located in the 400 block of Fernway Road. He was taken into custody by an officer from the Knox City Police Department and an officer from the Kingsford Heights Police Department.
Serles was transported to the Starke County Justice Center where he is being held on preliminary charges of motor vehicle theft and resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, both Level 6 Felonies.
Formal charges will be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
