News Release

ROCHESTER — A Florida man was arrested after a vehicle pursuit through multiple counties in Northern Indiana.

Sean Butler

On Sept. 30 at approximately 9:39 p.m., Deputy Ben Reason with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black SUV traveling north on US 31 for speeding. According to a press release from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, the driver refused to stop and continued north at a high rate of speed.

The pursuit entered into Marshall County where the vehicle left the roadway and drove through a fence and pasture in the 19000 block of 19th Road. The vehicle then continued north on US 31 into St. Joseph County. The vehicle continued west on US 20 where it finally stopped near the 80/90 Toll Road, just a few miles south of the Michigan state line. Throughout the pursuit, stop sticks were successfully deployed several times causing damage to the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Sean M. Butler, 36, of Navarre, Fla., was taken into custody without further incident. A passenger fled vehicle and was not located.

Butler was transported to the Fulton County Jail and booked on the charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, criminal recklessness with a vehicle, reckless driving causing property damage, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Assisting the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office were the Indiana State Police and numerous other agencies in North Central Indiana