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Police response to a Leesburg woman accused of fleeing law enforcement is at the center of a new conflict between the Kosciusko County prosecutor and the Warsaw Police Department.
Warsaw Police officer Scott Whitaker and Kosciusko County Sheriff's reserve deputy Jon Hoppus each reportedly fired a shot at a vehicle's tires during a low-speed chase. They were attempting to stop the vehicle of Doris L. Method, 62, CR 200E, at 12:30 a.m. Dec. 28, 1997.
Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe said Friday he wants to investigate the way police handled the incident, questioning why shots were fired in the city limits of Warsaw.
Warsaw Police Chief Craig Allebach did not comment on the situation or say if an officer was disciplined.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine said his department did deal with the reserve officer accused of firing a shot.
Hoppus had a disciplinary hearing and was suspended for a period of time, said Rovenstine.
He said the entire incident is on video, recorded from the initial deputy's car. Rovenstine said Method's family viewed the video and has not filed a complaint against the sheriff's department.
"It was the wrong thing to do," Rovenstine said of the shots fired. "They understand it was the wrong thing to do."
But, given the circumstances of the low-speed chase through Warsaw, police reported they were searching for a way to stop Method.
A deputy on patrol reported a vehicle driving with only its parking lights on in Warsaw. When the vehicle stopped at the intersection of Center and Columbia streets, the officer said the headlights blinked on and off several times.
The officer said he motioned for the vehicle to stop because he did not know if the driver was intoxicated or having problems with the headlights.
The driver refused to stop although the deputy used his red/blue lights and spot lights as he followed her down Market Street.
A Warsaw police officer reported he passed Method's car and put stop sticks, devices used to slowly let air out of vehicle tires, in the roadway. Method allegedly drove around them.
Method continued to elude police officers although the chase did not go much faster than 30 miles per hour.
She drove through Warsaw, reportedly not stopping for a stop sign while Warsaw City police and county officers followed.
At the intersection of Center and Detroit streets, the officers reported Method was stopped behind two vehicles at the stop light and police surrounded the car.
Method refused to get out of the car, according to the officers, and the doors were locked.
Method reportedly turned her car to the left and headed toward two officers in front of the car to escape police.
A deputy reported he turned to go to his squad car when he heard two gun shots. He said he turned to see Hoppus aiming at Method's right rear tire while Whitaker allegedly fired one shot at a tire.
Although the tire went flat, Method continued to drive on the wheel rim. She reportedly avoided stop sticks two more times and disregarded several more stop signs.
Police followed her to her home and attempted to unlock her vehicle doors. Finally, a deputy reportedly broke the passenger's side window to unlock the doors.
Method reportedly resisted arrest, attempting to kick the officers. She was finally taken into custody.
According to an affidavit for probable cause, Method told police she did not stop for police because "she was scared and that [they] were not real police."
When asked why her lights were blinking, Method reportedly told a deputy "that witches made her turn her lights on and off."
Method was charged with criminal recklessness, reckless driving and resisting law enforcement. She was taken to the Bowen Center for evaluation.
On April 29, Method signed a diversion agreement that defers the prosecution of the criminal recklessness misdemeanor charge, said Kolbe.
The agreement says that if Method follows the terms of the agreement, including an assessment at Bowen Center and completion of recommended treatment, the charges will be dropped in one year.
Kolbe said he agreed to the diversion of the charges so Method could get the psychological help she needs.
