Staff Report

Chadd Leroy Shumaker

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was recently arrested after allegedly trying to hide from police for two hours.

Chadd Leroy Shumaker, 39, 113 S. Wood St., Warsaw, is charged with possession of methamphetamine with enhancing circumstances, a level 5 felony; neglect of a dependent and domestic battery with a prior conviction, both level 6 felonies; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

On Jan. 18, a Warsaw Police officer assisted with serving an arrest warrant. Officers were advised Shumaker was in an apartment, but all doors leading into the common area of the residence were locked. The property owner gave officers permission to make forced entry if Shumaker did not leave in five minutes. Officers had to make forced entry into the building.

During the search, a woman arrived at the scene. According to court documents, the woman said she was bringing Shumaker his wallet and keys after dropping him off at the apartment earlier in the day. The woman told officers that while she was taking Shumaker to the apartment, they had a verbal argument.

Upon arrival at the apartment, Shumaker allegedly grabbed the woman by her sweatshirt and tried to pull her from the vehicle, causing neck pain. Officers noticed the woman had a red mark on her neck.

While searching the building’s attic for Shumaker, officers noticed a small cutout in the floor, which was behind a brick chimney. Officers approached the cutout and noticed a person’s legs. Shumaker and a child exited the cutout and were escorted out of the home. It took officers about two hours to find Shumaker.

While searching the area where Shumaker was hiding, officers found a glass smoking device with methamphetamine residue and marijuana. The location was covered in dust and cobwebs, but the illegal items appeared to be new and on top of the dust.

Shumaker told officers he hid when he heard them making forced entry. He also said he did not force the child to hide with him. The child, who was visibly upset and crying, told officers that Shumaker made them hide. When the child asked to leave multiple times, Shumaker refused to let the child go.

Shumaker was previously convicted of domestic battery in Wabash County in July 2021.

For this case, Shumaker has already been arrested and released on his own recognizance.