By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Alfred Walter Paul McDonald

Michelle Anne Poe

WARSAW — A man and woman from Warsaw were arrested after a high-speed police pursuit resulted in the discovery of a significant amount of drugs and paraphernalia.

Alfred Walter Paul McDonald, 54, 602 S. McClellan St., Warsaw, is charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; unlawful possession of a legend drug and resisting law enforcement, both level 6 felonies; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

Michelle Anne Poe, 35, Warsaw, is charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; unlawful possession of a legend drug, resisting law enforcement, operating a vehicle after being a habitual traffic violator, and operating a vehicle with an ACE of .15 or more with a prior, all level 6 felonies; operating a vehicle while intoxicated and endangering a person, and criminal mischief, both class A misdemeanors; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

On Aug. 15, an Indiana State Trooper was completing a traffic stop on North CR 150W, just south of US 30, when he noticed a vehicle drive past his patrol vehicle at a high speed. The trooper then noticed the vehicle approach US 30 and turn east without signaling for the turn.

According to court documents, the trooper completed his traffic stop and was able to catch up to the speeding vehicle on US 30. As the vehicle was approaching Anchorage Road in Warsaw, the vehicle went to change lanes without properly signaling the lane change. The trooper then activated the emergency lights on his vehicle to initiate a traffic stop.

The vehicle began to slow but continued east on US 30 while gradually increasing speed. The vehicle’s speeds were in excess of 90 mph and the vehicle was weaving from lane to lane erratically. While the vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed, the driver disregarded a traffic signal at US 30 and CR 250E. The driver then turned off the headlights while speeding in excess of 100 mph and continued until the vehicle struck stop sticks on Old Road 30 at CR 600E. As a result of the pursuit, the vehicle entered a field, causing damage estimated at $1,000.

The vehicle’s passenger, identified as McDonald; and driver, identified as Poe, then attempted to flee on foot once the vehicle stopped. Both were taken into custody.

Poe admitted to officers that she fled due to having active warrants. She also admitted that she had smoked methamphetamine 30 minutes prior to the pursuit.

According to court documents, while at the scene, McDonald asked an officer if he could have a cigarette and told the officer he had a pack in the vehicle. The officer found a pack of cigarettes on the vehicle’s floor and, upon further investigation, found two grams of marijuana in the vehicle.

While searching the vehicle, officers found a couple of open alcohol containers, as well as drug paraphernalia and a bag containing 20 pills of a legend prescription drug. A Warsaw Police officer also found three small bags outside of the vehicle containing methamphetamine.

Poe took a field sobriety test and failed a walk-and-turn test. While searching Poe’s person prior to being booked in the Kosciusko County Jail, officers found a bag containing methamphetamine, which had a total weighs of 25 grams.

McDonald spoke with officers and said he was not aware of any illegal substances in the vehicle. During a jail phone call between Poe and McDonald, both discussed the pursuit. In the call, McDonald described Poe as “the best getaway driver he has ever done that with.”

At one time during the discussion, Poe said she was the reason McDonald was in trouble. McDonald told her that he made the choice that night.

McDonald has a prior judgment against him for dealing in methamphetamine in 2012.