On Tuesday January 19th, 2016 at approximately 10:39 P.M. the Marshall County Dispatch was notified of a vehicle pursuit that was coming south on U.S. 31 from St. Joseph County. The pursuit was originally initiated by an officer from the South Bend Police Department. The original information was that the vehicle was reported as stolen from Elkhart County and was fleeing from the officer. The vehicle involved was a silver 2002 Chevy Tracker SUV.
Officers from the Marshall County Police Department responded to the area of U.S. 31 near Veteran’s Parkway and attempted to deploy Stop Sticks on the fleeing vehicle. The vehicle then exited onto Veteran’s Parkway avoiding the Stop Sticks, then proceeded east. The pursuing officer then lost sight of the vehicle in the area of King Rd. and 7th Road.
At approximately 10:59 P.M. the same vehicle was observed driving east on Lincoln Way on the east side of Plymouth. A Plymouth Police Officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle then fled east to Lincoln Highway where a pursuit was again initiated. Officers from the Plymouth Police Department and the Marshall County Police Department pursued the vehicle east on Lincoln Hwy. On Lincoln Highway east of the King Rd. the vehicle then ran off the road, spun out, and then proceeded west bound on Lincoln Highway back towards Plymouth.
The vehicle entered Plymouth on Lincoln Highway it proceeded into town, and eventually turned back east on 9A Road. The vehicle continued east on 9A Road, crossed over U.S. 31, and eventually went south on King Road. The vehicle then continued south on King Road to 12B Road, where it turned east headed toward Bourbon. The vehicle then avoided another set of Stop Sticks by driving through a field along 12B Road near Gumwood Road. Upon entering Bourbon the vehicle then drove along the railroad tracks, then attempted to turn north on S.R. 331. The driver of the vehicle involved then lost control of the vehicle and struck a building located on S.R. 331 northwest of the railroad tracks. The collision resulted in minor damages to the building and no injuries. The three persons found to be occupying the vehicle were all detained at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Kyle J. Pennell age 26 of Mishawaka, was lodged at the Marshall County Jail for Possession of Stolen Property, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, and Reckless Driving. Two adult passengers in the vehicle were briefly detained, but were released a short time later. The Marshall County Police Department was assisted by the Bourbon Police, Argos Police, Plymouth Police, and Reichert’s towing. Formal charges are pending through the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office at this time.
Listeners and readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.
