Staff Report

Terry Joe Wright

NAPPANEE — A Warsaw man was recently arrested after allegedly fleeing from officers on a stolen motorcycle.

Terry Joe Wright, 43, 1402 Alpha St., Warsaw, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, theft, and resisting law enforcement, all Level 6 felonies; and resisting law enforcement and driving while suspended, both class A misdemeanors.

On April 13, a Nappanee Police officer noticed a motorcycle on SR 19, south of CR 1350N, swerving back and forth in its lane. While the motorcycle was stopped at a stop sign, its driver had trouble keeping his balance, causing the motorcycle to almost fall over.

According to court documents, when the officer attempted to pull the motorcycle over, the driver accelerated to about 90 mph in a 45 mph zone and fled. At CR 1100W, the driver attempted to turn left when he lost control of the motorcycle and entered a ditch.

Wright then began fleeing from law enforcement on foot. The Nappanee officer used his taser and handcuffed Wright with the aid of another officer. While searching Wright, officers found two plastic bags containing methamphetamine on Wright’s person.

Officers later discovered that the motorcycle Wright was driving was reported stolen in Kosciusko County on March 27. Wright’s driver’s license was also suspended prior at the time of this incident.

Wright told officers the motorcycle belonged to him.

Wright has prior convictions for armed robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, and driving while suspended in Kosciusko County. He also has prior convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and methamphetamine possession in Elkhart County.

For this case, Wright was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on April 13, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.