June 17, 2013
06/18/13 A high speed pursuit Monday morning ended when the pick-up truck getting stuck in a corn field and the driver fleeing on foot.
About 7:30 EDT Monday morning a detective with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department was on routine patrolling near 1100 East and 700 North just south of Koontz Lake in Starke County when he came upon an S10 pick-up truck driven by 29 year Julius Novitzke. The driver was wanted for a failure to appear warrant through Starke Circuit Court for possession of methamphetamines.
The detective attempted to stop the vehicle but Novitzke would not pull over and a pursuit began. The pursuit came into Marshall County on 6th Road and then headed south on Union Road. Marshall County deputies joined in the pursuit as it traveled south of US 30 to near Donaldson and then east. On 10B Road west of State Road 17 the eastbound suspect vehicle steered toward and forced a westbound Marshall County Deputy off the roadway.
The pursuit continued east going onto Dixon Lake Trail south of Plymouth where the suspect’s vehicle nearly struck a Plymouth Firefighter responding to a residential fire. The pursuit continued east and south to US 31 when the driver headed north in the southbound lanes. He came back in on South Michigan Road and headed back west on 12th Road. Near the intersection of Maple and 12th Roads the truck entered a corn field and the truck got stuck.
The driver, Julius Novitzke fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later. The female passenger, Shannon Dixon gave herself up after the vehicle got stuck.
Julius is being held in the Starke County Jail on a preliminary charge of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, reckless driving, and the outstanding warrant with no bond. Dixon was released from the Starke County Jail.
Assisting in the pursuit were the Indiana State Police and Plymouth Police. A report of the incident will be forwarded to the Marshall County Prosecutor for possible charges related to the pursuit in Marshall County.