ISP: Tennessee man engaged in police chase while juvenile was in his car
Nov 25, 2024
WARREN COUNTY, Ind. — A Tennessee man engaged in a police chase with a juvenile in his car over the weekend.
Per a release from Indiana State Police, a trooper was driving northbound on U.S. Highway 41 near County Road 650 North in Warren County around 2 p.m. At that time, the driver of a 2008 Ford Focus passed him on the road.
The trooper then attempted to pull the driver of the Focus over. The driver, later identified as 29-year-old Jawan Lawrence of Anitoch, Tennesseee, disregarded the troopers' efforts and continued driving northbound.
The trooper then initiated a pursuit with Lawrence. As the chase moved from Warren County to Benton County, police attempted to deploy stop sticks on U.S. Highway 41 near State Road 18.
Lawrence swerved around the stop sticks, but in doing so, his car got stuck in the median. He then attempted to flee on foot, but police quickly apprehended him.
After they caught Lawrence, police learned a juvenile and an adult female were in the car with him during the chase. Both individuals were released from the scene without incident.
ISP reported that Lawrence had a gun and "Glock switch" in his possession. Investigators also determined officials in Lake County had issued a warrant for Lawrence's arrest.
Lawrence was booked into the Warren County Jail. He now faces the following preliminary charges:
Possession of a machine gun without a license — Level 5 Felony
Neglect of a dependent — Level 5 Felony
Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle — Level 6 Felony
Reckless driving — Class A Misdemeanor
Disorderly conduct — Class B Misdemeanor (Charge tied to Lake County warrant)
ISP received assistance from the Benton and Warren County Sheriff's Offices and the Fowler Police Department during the chase.