Three people arrested after chase through several Indiana counties

SOUTH INDIANAPOLIS – Three Indianapolis men were arrested after leading police on a multi-county chase Friday.

At around 5:30 p.m., an Indiana State Police trooper stopped a vehicle speeding on I-65. Court documents report that the vehicle was clocked at 87 mph in a 70 mph zone near the 14 mile marker. After the vehicle stopped, the trooper walked toward it before it eventually sped away.

According to ISP, the vehicle exited the Sellersburg exit, rejoined the interstate on the northbound side and continued north at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

State troopers and other officers from the surrounding area assisted in the chase and attempted to stop the vehicle using stop-stick tire deflation devices. Police said the driver successfully evaded the devices and was seen throwing an unknown substance out the window as he fled northbound.

The chase continued on I-65 through Scott and Jackson counties. Then, less than five miles south of Columbus, Indiana, the driver crossed the median. ISP wrote that the vehicle continued north on the southbound side before exiting at the Columbus exit. However, it struck another vehicle. According to court documents, the second vehicle sustained only minor damage and no one was injured. The driver fled north.

Eventually, officers were able to successfully deploy stop sticks near the 81-mile marker, causing the pickup to come to a stop near the 82-mile marker, court documents state. The three occupants were then taken into custody without incident.

According to court documents, officers also learned that the vehicle’s dealer license plates had been reported stolen.

The driver was identified as James Vinson, a 35-year-old Indianapolis man. He is facing the following charges:

• Resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony
• Vehicle theft, a level 6 felony
• Habitual traffic offender, a level 6 felony
• Criminal recklessness with a vehicle, a level 6 felony
• False statements, a class B misdemeanor
• Possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor
• Numerous arrest warrants from Marion County

Note: Because the other two inmates were only charged with possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, FOX59/CBS4 will not release their names. Should their charges be upgraded, this information will be changed.

If convicted, Vinson could face up to two and a half years in prison.