Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw police officer nearly detained a suspect matching the description of the Bicycle Bandit Saturday night.
Kosciusko County deputies and Warsaw police responded to an attempted burglary call from Leroy Long, 350 W. Clearwater Drive, Warsaw, at 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police chased the suspect on foot south out of Valley Springs to the area north of Kosciusko County Airport on CR 350N.
Warsaw police officer Dave Morales observed the suspect and attempted to apprehend him. The suspect broke loose of Morales' hold, knocking equipment from the officer's hand.
Fleeing through a marshy area, the suspect escaped on foot.
Police units set up a perimeter around the area where Morales contacted the suspect. The search continued for two hours.
Sheriff Al Rovenstine noted that the subject was bleeding from the face and may have marks or scratches on his face from the scuffle with Morales.
According to officials, Morales suffered no serious injuries. The suspect bit him on the hand, but the bite did not penetrate his gloves.
The sheriff's department requests that the public be on the lookout for anyone with injuries similar to those described.
Long described the subject as tall, wearing a black or dark mask, dark gloves and a dark coat. The suspect had been inside Long's shed. No damage was reported to his residence and nothing was reported missing.
Two other Valley Springs residents reported seeing the same subject in the area.
Indiana State Police were also at the scene of the search.
The investigation into this attempted burglary, as well as the more than 70 break-ins in the Warsaw area since spring, remains under investigation.
