A 44-year-old Indianapolis man is facing nine felony and misdemeanor charges after police say he led officers on a high-speed chase through Elkhart in a stolen car, crashed at a roundabout in Edwardsburg, Michigan, and then threatened an officer and the officer's family from his hospital bed. Anthony Jones, Jr. was taken into custody just after 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 30 after running from the wrecked vehicle on foot.
According to wndu.com, the incident began around 5:19 p.m. when an Elkhart officer tried to pull over a Dodge Stratus near Cassopolis Street and Bristol Street. The car had been reported stolen out of Goshen. Instead of stopping, police say Jones ignored the officer's emergency lights and siren and sped west on Bristol Street.
Chase Ran Through Stop Signs Before Michigan Crash
Police said Jones disregarded multiple stop signs and a traffic light as the pursuit continued, according to WSBT. The chase eventually carried the Dodge across the state line into Edwardsburg, Michigan, where Jones lost control of the car at the roundabout on Five Points Road, disabling the vehicle. He then got out and ran on foot before officers caught up with him.
Officers determined Jones did not have a valid driver's license and noted signs of possible impairment, the station's report states. He was taken to a hospital for medical clearance, and the Elkhart Police Department obtained a warrant for a blood draw. Results of that test were still pending, according to the department.
Drugs Found Inside the Car, Threat Made at Hospital
Officers reported finding marijuana, drug paraphernalia, pills, methamphetamine and cocaine inside the Dodge. While he was being treated at the hospital, Jones allegedly threatened an officer and the officer's family, per the same report.
The list of charges Jones now faces is extensive: resisting law enforcement, a Level 5 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony; two counts of unlawful possession or use of a legend drug, both Level 6 felonies; driving while suspended with a prior conviction, a Class A misdemeanor; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a Class C misdemeanor, among the nine total counts reported.
A magistrate set Jones' bond at $100,000 surety or 10% cash, WSBT reported. The prosecutor's office said he remained in the Elkhart County Jail as of its latest update. As with any pending case, the charges against Jones are accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
