Muncie man faces resisting, DWI, meth charges after Henry County police chase

NEW CASTLE, Ind. — A Muncie man faces 10 criminal charges after allegedly leading authorities in Henry County on a vehicle chase.

Justin M. Ross, 41, was arrested Friday evening after the chase ended when he drove his pickup truck into a wooded area and became stuck in mud.

The pursuit began after a New Castle police officer observed Ross' Chevrolet Silverado traveling on South 14th Street with what was reported to be a stolen license plate.

As the officer followed the truck. he observed it run red lights and stop signs. On Church Street, a male passenger got out of the truck, which then sped away.

The chase eventually made its way to westbound Ind. 38 and Ind. 234 and on other county roads in western Henry County, with the truck at times traveling through fields.

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Another New Castle officer reported he was traveling on Henry County Road 100-S when the pickup truck nearly struck his patrol vehicle head-on.

The vehicle pursuit concluded, in mud, near a boat ramp at Westwood Park, 1900 S. Henry County Road 275-W,

Ross allegedly then tried to flee on foot and continued to resist as officers reached him and tried to bring him into custody.

A K-9 with the sheriff's department, Zorro, and an electronic stun device were used in making the apprehension.

Henry County sheriff's deputies who searched Ross reported he had a bottle containing pills determined to be a narcotic pain medication and a plastic bag that contained meth.

In his vehicle, investigators said they found marijuana and a used syringe.

The Muncie man was taken to Henry County Hospital for a blood draw and examination.

Asked why he had fled from the New Castle officer, Ross reportedly said he "made a bad decision."

On Monday, he was charged in Henry Circuit Court 1 with possession of meth, criminal recklessness, theft, driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication, possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a syringe and two counts of resisting law enforcement.

Ross — also listed in court documents at addresses in New Castle and Pendleton — continued to be held in the Henry County jail on Tuesday under a $39,500 surety bond and a $3,250 cash bond.

According to court records, Ross has been convicted of crimes including dealing in a controlled substance, fraud, receiving stolen property and resisting law enforcement.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie man faces resisting, DWI, meth charges after Henry County chase