A multi-county pursuit of a man wanted for shoplifting from a Wabash Wal-mart store spilled into rural Kosciusko County Saturday before officers found the man hiding in a hay mound inside a Whitley County barn.
Shortly after a Wabash Wal-mart employee questioned a man about stolen property inside the store, Wabash police caught up to his black Pontiac Sunbird heading northbound on CR 200W in Wabash County, according to Wabash City Police. The Sunbird’s driver did not stop for police, and instead took officers through Wabash County and into Kosciusko County, where local sheriff’s deputies joined the pursuit.
The chase then went into Whitley County, where the man jumped from the car and ran into a wooded area, according to Wabash City Police.
As officers from Wabash city and county, Kosciusko County, Whitley County, North Manchester and South Whitley set up a perimeter to locate the man, a 911 call led police to a barn a half mile away, police said. Inside, police found the man hiding in a hay mound.
Jeffrey L. Dammeier II was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, resisting law enforcement on foot, operating while under the influence of a controlled substance, reckless driving, theft, possession of precursors, possession of methamphetamine and possession of fentanyl. Dammeier also has active warrants out of Whitley County and Wabash County. He is being held in Wabash County Jail.
