Staff Report

Michael Ray Kauffman

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was arrested for allegedly fleeing from and threatening law enforcement.

Michael Ray Kauffman, 53, 340 E. Levi Lee Road Lot 200, Warsaw, is charged with resisting law enforcement and intimidation, both level 6 felonies; and criminal recklessness, a class B misdemeanor.

On Dec. 19, 2023, a Warsaw Police officer was patrolling Detroit Street when he noticed a vehicle owned by Kauffman, who had a suspended driving status. The officer determined Kauffman was traveling 53 mph in a 45 mph zone and pulled him over.

According to court documents, Kauffman refused to roll down his vehicle’s window, attempted to shove papers out of his vehicle, and refused to exit his vehicle. Kauffman then fled the scene in his vehicle and a pursuit began. During the pursuit, Kauffman drove left of center and over-corrected, causing his vehicle to roll onto its side.

Kauffman disregarded officers’ commands to exit his vehicle, but eventually stood on top of his vehicle while yelling profanities. At one point, Kauffman held a lighter in the air and said he would blow everyone up if the officers got any closer. He also yelled about shooting the officers multiple times.

At the time of this incident, Kauffman was on formal probation for operating a vehicle after a lifetime suspension and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Kauffman was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 19, 2023, with a $10,250 surety and cash bond.