FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The Fort Wayne Police Department says an officer is expected to recover after needing treatment for narcotics exposure during an altercation with a fleeing suspect.
On Wednesday, it started when an officer tried to stop a vehicle for disregarding a stop sign. The GMC Sierra sped off. The FWPD says that officers gave chase and the GMC reached speeds over 100 mph. Eventually, the vehicle lost control at Stellhorn and Hobson and hit a tree.
The man, now identified as Demarcus Thomas, got out of the vehicle and began to fight with officers. The FWPD says that at one point he hit an officer with a bag that had cocaine in it. Eventually, police were able to subdue Thomas and place him under arrest. He and the officer who was exposed to the cocaine were treated at the hospital.
Thomas is now facing several felony charges.
The FWPD released the following:
On Wednesday June 12th 2024 at approximately 1137 hrs Officers with the Fort Wayne Police Department initiated a traffic stop near the intersection of St Joe Center Rd & Reed Rd after observing a black GMC Sierra disregarded a stop sign near Rothman & Reed. The driver failed to yield leading officers on a pursuit traveling at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The pursuit ended when the driver lost control striking the median then a curb and a tree near Stellhorn & Hobson rd.
The driver exited the vehicle and began to physically fight with officers. During the ensuing fight, the suspect struck an officer in the face with a grocery bag releasing a white powdery substance that coated his face and uniform.
The suspect was eventually taken into custody where he stated the substance was cocaine. Both the officer and suspect were treated for minor injuries at a local hospital.
Suspect Arrested #1: Demarcus Thomas
Preliminary Charges:
Resisting Law Enforcment – Fleeing (vehicle) Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcment causing injury Level 6 Felony
Battery Committed with a Deadly Weapon Level 5 Felony
Dealing in Cocaine or Narcotic Drugs (2 Counts) Level 2 Felony
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