Staff Report

WARSAW — A Claypool man was arrested after allegedly fleeing from law enforcement.

Owen Michael Shumaker

Owen Michael Shumaker, 20, 7477 S. Beaver Dam Road, Claypool, is charged with resisting law enforcement using a vehicle, a level 6 felony.

On July 13, a Warsaw Police officer on SR 15 observed a black and white sport motorcycle without a visible license plate. The officer activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop. However, the motorcycle’s driver refused to stop. The officer noted the driver was wearing blue jeans, a black jacket, a black helmet and had a dark-colored backpack.

The officer pursued the motorcycle onto US 30. The driver of the motorcycle turned around and gave the officer a hand gesture. The officer activated his emergency siren, and the motorcycle accelerated to speeds over 120 mph. The officer then terminated the pursuit.

The officer later received information that Shumaker was the driver of the motorcycle. 

On July 16, the officer spoke with Shumaker, who said he did not mean to harm anyone. Shumaker told the officer he panicked for a few minutes when the officer was behind him because he heard people had bad experiences in Warsaw. Shumaker said he waved at the officer when he turned around during the pursuit. Shumaker also indicated the speedometer on his motorcycle was not working, so he did not know how fast he was going. 

The officer showed Shumaker a photograph of the motorcycle from the pursuit and asked if he was the driver. Shumaker said he did not wish to answer the question. Shumaker showed the officer his motorcycle, and the officer believed the characteristics were consistent with the motorcycle in the pursuit. Shumaker apologized for his actions.