Pursuit Ends In Accident, Arrest
MARSHALL COUNTY — A pursuit, which began in St. Joseph County, ended in Marshall County with the arrest of Kyle J. Pennell, 26, Mishawaka, following an accident.
Pennell, driver of the vehicle, was taken to the Marshall County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property, resisting law enforcement with a vehicle and reckless driving. Formal charges are pending through the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to a release from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, the dispatch center was notified at 10:39 p.m. of a vehicle pursuit coming south on US 31 from St. Joseph County. The pursuit was originally initiated by an officer from the South Bend Police Department. The vehicle was originally reported as stolen from Elkhart County and was fleeing from the officer. The vehicle was a silver 2002 Chevrolet Tracker SUV.
Officers from the Marshall County Police Department responded to the area of US 31 near Veterans Parkway and attempted to deploy Stop Sticks on the fleeing vehicle. The vehicle exited onto Veteran’s Parkway, avoiding the Stop Sticks, then proceeded east. The pursuing officer lost sight of the vehicle in the area of King Road and Seventh Road.
At approximately 10:59 p.m. the same vehicle was observed heading east on Lincoln Way, on the east side of Plymouth. A Plymouth officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled east on 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 Highway. On Lincoln Highway, east of King Road, the vehicle ran out of road, spun out and proceeded westbound on Lincoln Highway, back towards Plymouth.
The vehicle entered Plymouth and proceeded into town, turning back east on 9A Road, continuing east crossing over US 31 and eventually heading south on King Road. The vehicle continued to 12B Road, where it turned east toward Bourbon. The vehicle avoided another set of Stop Sticks by driving through a field along 12B Road near Gumwood Road.
Upon entering Bourbon, the vehicle drove along the railroad tracks and attempted to turn north on SR 331. The driver then lost control of the vehicle and hit a building on SR 331, northwest of the railroad. The collision resulted in minor damages to the building and no injuries.
Two other adults were found in the vehicle, in addition to Pennell. The two adults were briefly detained but released a short time later.
The Marshall County Police Department was assisted by the Bourbon Police, Argos Police, Plymouth Police and Reichert’s Towing.