News Release

Michael L. Eppenbaugh

NAPPANEE — Michael Lee Eppenbaugh, 42, Warsaw, was arrested in the 25000 block of CR 50, Nappanee, Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 6, and taken to the Kosciusko County Jail on multiple warrants.

According to news releases from the Indiana State Police and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, several police agencies converged on the Union Center Amish Store after a credible sighting of Eppenbaugh was reported.

At 2:24 p.m. troopers with the Indiana State Police were advised of Eppenbaugh being seen in that area. As officers from several police jurisdictions arrived, Eppenbaugh fled on foot and was believed to be hiding in a barn located on the property. Officers set up a perimeter and searched for approximately 40 minutes before locating Eppenbaugh in a hay loft hiding under hay bales.

He was safely taken into custody and arrested on five outstanding warrants from Kosciusko County. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, those warrants were for failure to appear and have no bond.

Indiana State Police report the warrants were for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, a level 4 felony; three counts of habitual traffic violator — life, level 5 felonies; three counts of resisting law enforcement, level 6 felonies; three counts of auto theft, level 6 felonies; possession of methamphetamine, level 6 felony; possession of methamphetamine, level 5 felony; residential entry, level 6 felony; and 10 additional misdemeanor warrants.

The collaborative effort was among the following agencies: Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Nappanee Police Department, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office, NET43 and St. Joe County Michigan.

Eppenbaugh was arrested on Friday, Dec. 1, in Cass County after an incident in Mishawaka where he stole a Mishawaka patrol car and fled into Michigan. He was initially taken into custody for allegedly shoplifting at a Menards store in Mishawaka, when he began fighting with two police officers. During the fight, he gained control of the police vehicle and a pursuit began.

The pursuit ended after Eppenbaugh hit a vehicle near the intersection of M-60 Highway and Yankee Street in Cass County’s Howard Township. Epppenbaugh was taken to Corewell Lakeland Niles Hospital via SMACS ambulance.