David L. Metzger

A high speed pursuit in Warsaw Monday led to the arrest of a Claypool man after he refused to leave the local Meijer store.

The incident started at approximately 5:18 p.m. when Warsaw Police were first called to Meijer for a man causing problems and refusing to leave. Officers arrived and were informed that the suspect, identified as David L. Metzger, 33, of Claypool, had been asked by Meijer employees to leave, but he instead became increasingly angry and belligerent.

According to police, officers made contact with Metzger, who argued with them as well. Metzger was again warned multiple times to leave the property or he would be arrested for trespassing. When he continued to yell at police, he was given a written trespass warning. About 20 minutes later, Metzger got into his vehicle and began to leave.

Police say Metzger appeared to be driving out of the lot but then instead parked his vehicle in another parking space. Officers re-approached him and directed him to get out of the car as they were placing him under arrest for trespassing and refusing to obey their orders. Metzger yelled an obscenity and, as an officer attempted to open the locked driver’s door, Metzger drove off at a high rate of speed.

Officer’s attempted to stop Metzger in the parking lot of Meijer, but he refused to stop, instead driving out onto Lake City Highway (U.S. 30) and proceeding eastbound at a high rate of speed.

Additional police officers were called to U.S. 30 and Center Street and deployed Stop Sticks® to disable Metzger’s Suzuki 4×4 by flattening the right side tires. Metzger continued east on the highway, eventually stopping east of CR 250 East after losing a shredded tire.

Even after he stopped the vehicle, Metzger continued to resist the officers as was physically removed from the vehicle and taken into custody.

At the Kosciusko County Jail, Metzger continued to be uncooperative and attempted to bite several of the jailers. He was booked on a Class D felony charge of resisting law enforcement with a motor vehicle, trespassing and reckless driving. His bond was set at $2,000.

Warsaw Police were assisted by the Indiana State Police, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and the Winona Lake Police Department