Ebony A Williams Jr.

ROCHESTER — The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department was involved in two police pursuits, leading to the arrests of two people on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Ebony A. Williams Jr., 19, 336 Butternut St., Benton Harbor, Mich., is being held on initial charges of auto theft, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, reckless driving, operating a vehicle while never licensed, possession of marijuana and false identity statement, according to police.

A second male, a juvenile, was released into the custody of his parents.

A speeding vehicle, at 1:38 a.m., traveling south on US 31, near CR 400S failed to yield for an officer attempting to make a traffic stop. While attempting to stop the vehicle, it was discovered the vehicle was stolen from Kalamazoo, Mich. The driver led deputies on a high-speed pursuit for several miles before ending at the Indiana State Highway Garage, near CR 50N and Meridian Road. Stop sticks were deployed and assisted in ending the pursuit.

At this time, four people then fled on foot into a cornfield. After setting a perimeter, the juvenile found in the field and taken into custody.

A short time later, another vehicle was seen leaving the area and a traffic stop was initiated to investigate possible suspects from this incident. The vehicle failed to yield, as well, almost hitting two police vehicles. Another high-speed pursuit, with speeds reaching 105-110 mph took place.

The vehicle traveled south on US 31, through Fulton County and into Miami County. At US 31 and CR 100N, in Miami County, stop sticks were deployed but the vehicle continued traveling west on US 24 into Cass County. Stop sticks deployed again near US 24 and US 35, causing the vehicle to lose control and spin out.

Williams, the driver, was taken to Woodlawn Hospital for minor injuries before being taken to the Fulton County Jail.

It was later learned that Williams had allegedly stolen the vehicle used in the second pursuit.

The Rochester City Police and a K-9 officer assisted in the apprehension of the minor. Assisting agencies in the second pursuit were the Rochester City Police, Miami and Cass county sheriff’s departments and Indiana State Police.