MENTONE - A traffic stop near Mentone led to several drug charges against a Mentone man.
Chad Cunningham, 24, of 202 S. Morgan St., Mentone, was arrested around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail for reportedly manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of legends or precursors to manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.His bond was set at $10,000.
Indiana State Police stopped Cunningham for a traffic violation near the intersection of Ind. 25 and Shilling Road Wednesday afternoon.
Investigation during the stop led Trooper Brandon McBrier to call Trooper Ryan McNamara and his K-9 to the scene to examine the outside of the car. The K-9 allegedly hit on illegal drugs.
A meth lab, drug paraphernalia and drugs allegedly were discovered in the trunk of the black 1995 Chevy Monte Carlo Cunningham was driving.
Chase Ends With Charges
SOUTH WHITLEY - A Pierceton man faces felony and misdemeanor charges after leading the Indiana State Police on a chase in Whitley and Kosciusko counties Wednesday.
Shawn L. Jefferson, 32, Pierceton, was booked into the Whitley County Jail for resisting law enforcement, possession of legends or precursors to manufacturing methamphetamine, driving while suspended and leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Jefferson was arrested after he reportedly fled from police in a 1994 Jeep Cherokee while Trooper Joe McLaughlin was trying to stop him for a traffic violation.
Around 9:30 a.m., Jefferson allegedly sped southbound on Main Street, South Whitley, and continued on Ind. 14, where he hit another vehicle on a curve before continuing into Kosciusko County.
Jefferson continued on Ind. 14 and drove the Jeep into a cornfield near CR 600E. He then left the SUV and fled on foot while officers were heading to the scene.
A K-9 team from Whitley County was called to the scene to look for Jefferson, and police set up a perimeter around the area.
Once officers got to the Jeep in the field, they found a cooler that held several items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine, and a one-pot meth lab was found inside the vehicle.
Police continued to search for Jefferson, and around 2:50 p.m. he was found at a residence of one of his acquaintances on Ind. 14. Jefferson was taken into custody and booked into the Whitley County Jail.
Officers from the Whitley and Kosciusko county sheriff departments, the South Whitley and Silver Lake police departments and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources assisted in the investigation and search.
