STEUBEN CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – A 21-year-old man from Coldwater, Michigan, is now charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle after crashing twice in a police chase that started in Michigan and ended in Indiana.
Indiana State Police (ISP) say that Jefferson Ridgway was arrested by troopers in Steuben County after he hit a metal garbage container and another vehicle last Saturday night.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan began the chase and informed ISP that Ridgway was heading into the Hoosier state. He is also charged with possession of a controlled substance and leaving the scene of a crash for the hit on the trash can.
ISP also reports that a separate chase resulted in charges for a Fort Wayne man.
A trooper observed David Garcia driving erratically near Jefferson and Freeman early Sunday morning and tried to pull him over.
Garcia reportedly took off. Police used stop sticks near Creighton and Barr that slowed him down enough that he tried to take off on foot, but was ultimately arrested.
ISP released the following:
Troopers from the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post were involved in two pursuits over the weekend. Both resulted in the drivers being arrested.
The first pursuit started in Michigan and lead Michigan and Indiana Police on a chase through both states. The Branch County Michigan Sheriff’s Department notified the Indiana State Police they were in pursuit of a white Mercury Mountaineer headed towards Indiana on Saturday, May 16 just after 11:45pm. The pursuit radio traffic was overheard by Indiana State Police Troopers who were in the area. During the pursuit the vehicle crashed into a metal garbage container, sending it into another vehicle causing damage. The pursuit ended in Fremont, IN near the 3000 block of Steuben County Road 700 North, when the vehicle crashed again. The driver, Jefferson Ridgway (21) of Coldwater, MI was arrested by Indiana State Police Troopers and taken to the Steuben County Jail.
Mr. Ridgway was arrested for:
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle: Level 6 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance: Class A Misdemeanor
Leaving the scene of a Property Damage Crash: Class C Misdemeanor
The second pursuit was in Fort Wayne on Sunday, May 17 just before 2:00am. A Trooper was working near Jefferson Blvd and Freeman St. in Fort Wayne when they noticed a black 2003 Nissan Murano weaving back and forth out of its lane. This behavior continued until the suspect vehicle reached Jefferson Blvd and Main St. where the Trooper attempted to make a traffic stop on the vehicle. The black Nissan did not stop and led the Trooper on a pursuit through Fort Wayne. Fort Wayne Police Department assisted and was able to deploy stop sticks to safely deflate the vehicle tires in the area of Pontiac St. and Lafayette St. The vehicle slowed and came to a stop near Creighton St. and Barr St. The driver, David Garcia (27) of Fort Wayne, ran from the vehicle on foot. He was caught by Fort Wayne Police Department after a short foot pursuit and transported to the Allen County Jail.
Mr. Garcia was arrested for:
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle: Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement: Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated with Endangerment: Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated: Class C Misdemeanor
Operating a Motor Vehicle without Ever Receiving a License: Class C Misdemeanor
Law enforcement works best when we stand together. The Indiana State Police is committed to assisting our partner agencies whenever they call, and we are equally grateful for their support when we need it. By working as a unified team toward a common goal, we strengthen the safety and well-being of every community we serve.
*Both arrests are based upon probable cause of a crime, all crimes mentioned are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
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