(Jennings/Ripley/Jefferson Counties, IN) – A North Vernon man wanted on felony warrants in different jurisdictions was arrested following a high-speed chase through several counties Thursday afternoon.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office says it was around 2:40 p.m. when deputies tried to pull over a vehicle on U.S. 50 near Nebraska driven by 35-year-old Michael Vance. Authorities say Vance committed several traffic infractions, and that he had outstanding warrants in Jennings and Dearborn counties.
Deputies say he initially pulled over but then sped off on eastbound 50 toward Holton, with speeds reaching up to 90 mph.
Investigators say Vance saw Ripley County deputies set up stop sticks on 50 and he tried to evade capture by going through a cornfield and onto a county road.
He was chased by police onto U.S. 421 in Versailles where he spotted stop sticks put down by Indiana State Police troopers, turned around and continued toward Jefferson County.
Investigators say a Jennings County dispatcher had Vance and his wife on the phone, and they talked him into surrendering.
Vance eventually stopped his vehicle at the Ripley/Jefferson County line and was arrested without incident.
He is being housed in the Jennings County Jail, and will be transferred to Dearborn County to face the music there.
Vance is charged with the following:
– Jennings County warrant for Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 felony).
– Resisting Law Enforcement via Vehicle (Level 6 felony)
– Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 felony)
– Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Level 6 felony)
– Possession of Paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
– Reckless Driving (Class C misdemeanor)
– Dearborn County warrant for Probation Violation.
The agencies involved in the chase included the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County Central Dispatch, the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, ISP Dispatch and the
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
