FORT WAYNE — Two separate vehicle pursuits over the weekend — one in Steuben County and another in Fort Wayne — ended with the arrests of both drivers, according to a news release from the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post.
The first chase began Saturday evening when Michigan authorities attempted to stop a vehicle near Coldwater. The driver, identified as Rodney Ray, 31, of Coldwater, Michigan, allegedly fled south toward Indiana. Troopers from the ISP Fort Wayne District joined the pursuit as it crossed the state line.
The chase ended near Fremont after Ray reportedly crashed his vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident. According to state police, Ray faces preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (Level 6 felony), possession of a controlled substance (Class A misdemeanor) and leaving the scene of a property-damage crash (Class C misdemeanor).
A second, unrelated pursuit occurred early Sunday morning in Fort Wayne. Troopers attempted to stop a vehicle shortly after 2 a.m., but the driver allegedly refused to pull over and led officers on a brief chase through the city.
Police identified the driver as Mr. Garcia, 27, of Fort Wayne. He was arrested after the vehicle came to a stop and he attempted to flee on foot, according to the release. Garcia faces preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (Level 6 felony), resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), operating while intoxicated (Class C misdemeanor) and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license (Class C misdemeanor).
State police said both cases remain under investigation and noted that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The agency emphasized its ongoing cooperation with local departments and its commitment to public safety during vehicle pursuits.