Pair Face Multiple Charges Following December Police Chase
January 5, 2018 at 4:58 p.m.
By David [email protected]
John M. Arthur, 30, of 417 EMS T26 Lane, Leesburg, is charged with resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, with a sentence enhancement to a Class A because of a previous arrest; and theft, a Class A misdemeanor, according to court documents.
His passenger, Kayla Hepburn, 23, of 116 S. Cleveland St., Warsaw, is being charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.
On Dec. 22, Claypool Town Marshal Ben Sanders was northbound on Buffalo Street at the intersection of Prairie Street in Warsaw when he saw a Ford Taurus – later determined to be driven by Arthur – make an improper lane change, causing Sanders to swerve to avoid an accident, according to the probable cause affidavit. Sanders followed the Taurus and checked the license plate, learning the plate had been reported stolen on Nov. 16.
Sanders continued following Arthur’s vehicle, which turned in to a gas station. Sanders pulled in behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The Taurus accelerated onto Detroit Street and Sanders turned on his siren. Arthur disregarded traffic signals at Detroit and Market streets, barely avoiding a collision with another vehicle, court documents said.
Sanders pursued Arthur eastbound on Market Street, disregarding stop signs at Scott and Bronson streets and Argonne Road, reaching speeds of 78 mph in a 30 mph zone.
During the pursuit, the Taurus struck a mailbox, drove into the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts parking lot and drove through some bushes before it stopped. Sanders approached the vehicle and removed Arthur from the vehicle, as well as Hepburn.
Arthur told Sanders there was a handgun in the backseat of the car and that he did not have a handgun permit.
The car was searched and a .22 caliber Heritage revolver was found in the backseat.
In a restaurant bag, officers found a clear glass smoking pipe that contained a white crystal-like substance. Officers also found a black silky bag that contained several small baggies.
One of the baggies contained a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, the court documents said. Another bag contained five green pills identified as alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance.
In Hepburn’s purse, officers found three types of pills, one of which was identified as tramadol, a Schedule IV controlled substance. She did not have a valid prescription for the tramadol.
Officers found an eyeglass case that contained a green plant material that tested positive for marijuana.
In the trunk of the Taurus, officers found a backpack that contained another pipe that contained a crystal-like substance, digital scales that contained a white powdery residue, a metal grinder that contained a green plant material and digital scales that contained a white powdery residue.
Sanders field tested the powder found on the scale, and it tested positive for methamphetamine, the court documents state.
Arthur and Hepburn were released from jail on their own recognizance. They were given an initial hearing date of 8:15 a.m. Jan. 18 in Kosciusko Circuit Court.
Court documents state Arthur was convicted of possession of marijuana on May 17, 2010.
John M. Arthur, 30, of 417 EMS T26 Lane, Leesburg, is charged with resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; carrying a handgun without a license, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, with a sentence enhancement to a Class A because of a previous arrest; and theft, a Class A misdemeanor, according to court documents.
His passenger, Kayla Hepburn, 23, of 116 S. Cleveland St., Warsaw, is being charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.
On Dec. 22, Claypool Town Marshal Ben Sanders was northbound on Buffalo Street at the intersection of Prairie Street in Warsaw when he saw a Ford Taurus – later determined to be driven by Arthur – make an improper lane change, causing Sanders to swerve to avoid an accident, according to the probable cause affidavit. Sanders followed the Taurus and checked the license plate, learning the plate had been reported stolen on Nov. 16.
Sanders continued following Arthur’s vehicle, which turned in to a gas station. Sanders pulled in behind the vehicle and activated his emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The Taurus accelerated onto Detroit Street and Sanders turned on his siren. Arthur disregarded traffic signals at Detroit and Market streets, barely avoiding a collision with another vehicle, court documents said.
Sanders pursued Arthur eastbound on Market Street, disregarding stop signs at Scott and Bronson streets and Argonne Road, reaching speeds of 78 mph in a 30 mph zone.
During the pursuit, the Taurus struck a mailbox, drove into the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts parking lot and drove through some bushes before it stopped. Sanders approached the vehicle and removed Arthur from the vehicle, as well as Hepburn.
Arthur told Sanders there was a handgun in the backseat of the car and that he did not have a handgun permit.
The car was searched and a .22 caliber Heritage revolver was found in the backseat.
In a restaurant bag, officers found a clear glass smoking pipe that contained a white crystal-like substance. Officers also found a black silky bag that contained several small baggies.
One of the baggies contained a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine, the court documents said. Another bag contained five green pills identified as alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance.
In Hepburn’s purse, officers found three types of pills, one of which was identified as tramadol, a Schedule IV controlled substance. She did not have a valid prescription for the tramadol.
Officers found an eyeglass case that contained a green plant material that tested positive for marijuana.
In the trunk of the Taurus, officers found a backpack that contained another pipe that contained a crystal-like substance, digital scales that contained a white powdery residue, a metal grinder that contained a green plant material and digital scales that contained a white powdery residue.
Sanders field tested the powder found on the scale, and it tested positive for methamphetamine, the court documents state.
Arthur and Hepburn were released from jail on their own recognizance. They were given an initial hearing date of 8:15 a.m. Jan. 18 in Kosciusko Circuit Court.
Court documents state Arthur was convicted of possession of marijuana on May 17, 2010.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092