Staff Report

WARSAW — A Leesburg man is facing multiple charges after he led police on a chase involving two stolen vehicles.

Nathaniel Trott

Nathaniel P. Trott, 27, 40 EMS B6 Lane, Leesburg, is facing two counts of theft, both Level 6 felonies; one count of resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 felony; one count of theft, a Class A misdemeanor; and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, a Class B misdemeanor.

According to a probable cause affidavit, about 2:37 a.m. on May 27, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer was parked at Leesburg Fire Station. He saw a blue 2002 Acura 32T on Old SR 15 disregard a traffic device by failing to stop.

The Acura then turned onto Armstrong Road and sped up. The officer attempted to pull the vehicle over.

The Acura didn’t slow down, so a police chase ensued. The Acura was going more than 100 miles per hour and crossed the center line. It also passed two vehicles in a no-passing zone.

It traveled onto railroad tracks near Levi Lee Road and crashed shortly afterward. The male driver fled on foot. The officer followed him on foot, but lost sight of him.

Additional officers arrived to assist. The officers found the suspect. He attempted to flee again by getting into an orange 2007 Honda Fit.

The vehicle was driven around property until it struck a tree. Officers ordered the suspect, identified as Trott, out of the vehicle. He was handcuffed.

As they investigated, officers learned the Acura was stolen from Holle’s Salvage. A person associated with the business said an outside camera at the business alerted him to activity about 2 a.m. May 27.

He saw a dark-colored Jeep arrive on the business’ lot and two males exit it. The suspects went through numerous vehicles.

The subjects took a tool box, tools and a .22 caliber rifle from a vehicle. The value of the items was less than $750.

The witness saw the Jeep and another vehicle on the lot leave the business. The vehicle that was stolen from the business’ lot was a blue 2002 Acura 32T.

Trott was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail on May 27 on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.