Broken Headlight, Loud Muffler Lead To Drug Arrest Of Mentone Man
KOSCIUSKO — A Mentone man was arrested when the vehicle he was riding in on New Year’s Eve attracted the attention of state police, resulting in a high-speed chase and an alleged discovery of illegal drugs.
Johnny Lee Helton, 47, 308 S. Walnut St., Mentone, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.
According to a report from the Indiana State Police, a trooper was on patrol on Dec. 31, 2018, when he reported observing a vehicle with a defective headlight and loud muffler. According to the report, when the trooper activated his lights and siren, the driver of the vehicle began to flee at high speeds.
The trooper reported that the driver drove the vehicle into a field, where it became stuck. According to the report, the driver and a passenger began to flee on foot and police reported apprehending the passenger, who was identified as Helton. Helton, according to police, initially gave the trooper an incorrect first name for the driver and stated he did not know the driver’s last name. On Helton’s person, police reported finding a cut straw with a white residue, which later field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Police also reported finding jars containing methamphetamine and another cut straw similar to the one found on Helton’s person when they searched the vehicle.
Helton was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Friday, Jan. 19, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond.