Michael Lee Manges

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man is facing charges after fleeing from police.

Michael Lee Manges, 32, 6847 East CR 1120N, Syracuse, is being charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony; resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and sentence enhancement possession of marijuana, a class A misdemeanor. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on July 29 an officer with the Syracuse Police Department observed a black Chrysler driven by Manges in Kosciusko County. The officer had knowledge that Manges’ Indiana driver’s license was suspended. 

When the officer activated emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop, the black Chrysler accelerated southbound on SR 13. The officer activated the audible siren on the police vehicle. Manges was observed throwing items from his vehicle while driving down the road. 

The black Chrysler turned in at a driveway located on East CR 1120N, Syracuse. At that time, Manges jumped out of the vehicle, dropping items and running westbound. Officers were able to apprehend him.

Upon a search of the vehicle, officers found a partially burnt marijuana cigarette and 46 small plastic bags. Outside the vehicle, officers found a marijuana grinder. Officers searched the roadway where items were thrown by Manges and located a glass container that contained a plant material and a ziplock bag that contained residue. Officers used a K-9 trained to detect illegal drugs in the area where Manges was arrested. A plastic bag containing a white crystal substance was discovered. The substance field-tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 8 grams. The plant material was identified as marijuana.

Manges admitted that the partially burnt marijuana cigarette belonged to him, He also admitted he had thrown a glass container that contained marijuana and a green container that had methamphetamine residue in it out the window of his vehicle.

Manges was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on July 29 on a $5,250 surety and cash bond