Jeffery Uriah Mast

WARSAW — A Nappanee man is in custody after resisting law enforcement and leading a police chase.

Jeffery Uriah Mast, 25, 9200 N. CR 1000W, Nappanee is being charged with burglary, a level 5 felony; theft, a class a misdemeanor; two counts of fraud, each a level 6 felony and resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Oct. 13, Officer Shane Bucher with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to a burglary. A male victim advised that unknown subject(s) entered three vehicles in a parking lot next to the victim’s office building. From inside the building the subject(s) removed clothing, light bulbs and gas cans, as well as credit cards and tools from the trucks.

According to the affidavit the victim advised that the subject(s) removed the light bar off of a truck belonging to another male, stealing from the truck $250 in cash, credit cards and identification. He then advised that the credit card had been used without permission on Oct. 13, for $39.74 of auto parts at Walmart. He stated at this time he believed the subject was a former employee, Mast.

Officer Bucher spoke with the male owner of the truck who advised his credit card had been used without his permission on Oct. 13 at McDonald’s for $3.21 as well as at Marathon for $8.80. Mast also attempted to use the card at Marathon for $122.

Officer Bucher obtained video footage from Walmart for the transaction using the victim’s credit card and was able to identify Mast. Officers received information that Mast was driving a black diesel pickup truck and notified all police agencies to attempt to locate the truck.

On Oct. 14, Officer Timothy Sammons with Pierceton Police Department observed the black truck with a male driver matching Mast’s description. Officer Bucher met with Officer Sammons to identify the truck. When both officers activated their emergency lights and sirens, Mast fled at a high rate of speed headed southbound. Officer Bucher drove around to the front of Mast’s truck and began slowing to stop the vehicle. Mast rammed into the back of the patrol vehicle causing injury to Officer Bucher’s neck and head, which was covered here. Mast’s vehicle stopped from the damage.

Officers removed Mast and his female passenger from his vehicle. Mast admitted to stealing the credit cards, tools and clothing, as well as using the credit cards. He advised the stolen items were inside and in the bed of his truck.

Mast is being held at Kosciusko County Jail on a $50,250 surety and cash bond.