A Warsaw man who was arrested Friday for leading police on a chase from Mishawaka, Ind., to Michigan was arrested again Wednesday, in Nappanee, after fleeing police.
According to a news release from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Kosciusko County investigators conducted a multi-agency operation in the apprehension of Michael Lee Eppenbaugh, 42, of Warsaw.
Officers received information that Eppenbaugh was in the Nappanee area on Wednesday. Eppenbaugh was located in a business at 2:24 p.m. in Nappanee and fled upon officer’s arrival.
An Indiana State Police news release indicated the business was the Union Center Amish Store located in the 25000 block of CR 50 in Nappanee.
Eppenbaugh fled to a nearby barn where officers were able to set-up a perimeter. The ISP release stated officers searched for approximately 40 minutes before ultimately finding Eppenbaugh hiding under hay bales.
He was taken into custody without incident, according to the KCSO news release.
Eppenbaugh was taken to the Kosciusko County Jail and booked in on five outstanding warrants, all from Kosciusko County. Those warrants were for failure to appear with no bond, according to the KCSO.
The ISP news release listed the charges in the warrants as unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony; three counts of habitual traffic violator for life, a level 5 felony; three counts of resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; three counts of auto theft, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony; residential entry, a level 6 felony; and 10 additional misdemeanor warrants.
The KCSO release states it was a collaborative effort by the KCSO, ISP, Nappanee Police Department, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, NET43 and St. Joe County, Mich.
On Friday, Eppenbaugh - a handcuffed shoplifting suspect at the Menards near Main Street in Mishawaka - allegedly began fighting with a Mishawaka police officer and an off-duty St. Joseph County police officer.
During the struggle, Eppenbaugh somehow took control of a Mishawaka police car on scene and drove off. A little while later, officers found the stolen vehicle as it sped north on Ironwood Road before crossing into Michigan.
The stolen vehicle was involved in a traffic crash near the intersection of M-60 Highway and Yankee Street in Cass County’s Howard Township, according to a Cass County Sheriff’s Office advisory report. The other vehicle was driven by Catherine Townsend, of Vicksburg, Mich.
Eppenbaugh was then taken into custody and taken to Corewell Lakeland Niles Hospital via SMACS ambulance, the report states. He then was taken to Cass County Jail.
Townsend was not injured in the crash.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office said alcohol is believed to have played a role in the crash, which remains under investigation.
According to ABC 57, Eppenbaugh was released from jail in Michigan on a recognizance bond.
“The defendant was arrested and my office brought charges against him," said Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz to ABC 57. "Then law enforcement requested a personal recognizance bond for him, which was granted by the court, and the defendant was given an arraignment date of December 27."
Due to being released on a recognizance bond, Eppenbaugh did not have to pay an initial fee upon release, ABC 57 reported. However, if he doesn't show up to court on Dec. 27, he will have to pay $5,000.
ABC57 reached out to the Cass County Jail Undersheriff Clint Roach regarding why Eppenbaugh was released on a recognizance bond, but Roach declined to discuss the reasons.