A Starke County man was arrested after a pursuit incident that spanned two counties.
Early this morning, a Starke County detective was patrolling around 1100 East and 700 North just north of Koontz Lake when he recognized the driver of a black pickup as Julius Novitzke. Novitzke was known to be wanted on an active Starke County Circuit Court Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine.
A traffic stop was attempted but Novitzke failed to stop.
Marshall county deputies and officers from the Argos, Plymouth and the Indiana State Police became involved in the pursuit which traveled south of U.S. 30 near Donaldson and then east. On 10B Road west of State Road 17, the eastbound vehicle steered toward and forced a deputy off the road. As the pursuit continued, Novitzke nearly struck a Plymouth fireman responding to a residential fire.
The pursuit ended in a cornfield near 12 Road and Maple Road in Marshall County. Novitzke attempted to flee on foot but he was quickly apprehended. A passenger in the vehicle, Shannon Dixon, surrendered immediately.
Julius Novitzke was arrested and booked into the Starke County Jail on preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Reckless driving and the active arrest warrant.
A report of the incident will be forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor for possible additional charges related to the pursuit in Marshall County.
Dixon was released from the Starke County Jail.
