KOSCIUSKO — Two people are facing charges after attempting to flee from police during a traffic stop.

Danielle Marie Hughes, 27, 14 EMS B61B Lane, Warsaw, is being charged with resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia,a class C misdemeanor.

Dustin Keith Catanzarite, 31, 300 E. Main St., Leesburg, is being charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. 

On July 12, an officer with the Warsaw City Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a black Ford Thunderbird operated by Hughes, who had three active felony warrants. According to the affidavit of probable cause, Hughes pulled the vehicle over and stopped briefly. Also in the vehicle were a female in the back seat and a male in the front passenger seat, identified as Catanzarite. 

As officers approached the vehicle, Hughes drove off, operating at speeds of 80 mph and failing to stop at several stop signs. She drove the vehicle across the center line multiple times, weaving between cars. Hughes eventually drove into a cornfield, where all three occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

The female was located about 20 feet from the vehicle, hiding in the field. Catanzarite was located in a fence row. Officers found Hughes riding in a black pick-up truck. As the officers conducted a traffic stop on the truck, Hughes attempted to jump out and flee but was apprehended almost immediately. 

Officers conducted a search of the black Ford Thunderbird and located seven syringes, one spoon with residue that field-tested positive for heroin, one spoon with residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, one digital scale with residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, two glass pipes with residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine and a wallet containing $38 belonging to another individual. 

Hughes told officers that she was the one operating the vehicle and that she had been on her way to purchase a half pound of methamphetamine. Officers discovered $1,130.55 in Hughes’ bra. 

Catanzarite was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Thursday, July 12, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond. Hughes was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Thursday, July 12, on a $21,250 surety and cash bond.