AUBURN, Ind. (ADAMS) – An Auburn man is in jail and an Indiana State Trooper is recovering after being hurt when a traffic stop turned physical Tuesday morning.
Indiana State Police say around 9:30 a.m. Master Trooper Tim Myers was patrolling northbound on I-69 north of State Road 8 when he saw a gray Chrysler 300 going more than 100mph on southbound I-69.
Police say the car got off the interstate and the driver fled on foot. When troopers caught up with him, he allegedly became violent and Trooper Myers slipped on ice. After an officer from Auburn used a Taser on the suspect he was apprehended.
Indiana State Police released the following account of the incident:
At approximately 9:30am this morning, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Tim Myers was patrolling northbound on I-69 north of SR8, when he observed a gray Chrysler 300 passenger car allegedly traveling southbound in excess of 100mph. The Chrysler was observed exiting the interstate at the Auburn 329mm exit heading east on State Road 8. Trooper Myers quickly located the suspect vehicle abandoned in the Cracker Barrel restaurant parking lot located just off that interchange. A witness helped provide the direction of travel in which the suspect driver ran, towards the Marathon gas station next door to restaurant.
The suspect driver (later identified as Anthony Lamm, 19, of Auburn), was observed on foot in the gas station parking lot and was confronted by Trooper Myers and Trooper Ben Kirk. As the troopers attempted to take the Lamm into custody, Lamm is alleged to have become physically resistant and combative with the troopers. During this altercation, Trooper Myers fell on the ice and sustained injury to his left leg. An Auburn Police Officer arriving to assist the troopers was able to effectively employ a Taser on Lamm, at which time they were able to get him handcuffed and under control.
Lamm was transported in custody to the DeKalb Parkview Hospital for medical clearance prior to being transported to the DeKalb County Jail. Once at the jail, Lamm was booked into custody on related misdemeanor criminal charges for Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting In Bodily Injury, and Reckless Driving.
Trooper Myers was also transported from the scene to the DeKalb Parkview Hospital, where he received medical evaluation and treatment for injuries sustained to his leg, and then subsequently released this afternoon.
Assisting at the scene were several troopers from the Fort Wayne Post, Auburn Police Department, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Angola Police Department, and Jeff’s Towing.
The above stated criminal charges are merely accusations at this point, with the final determination of charges at the discretion of the DeKalb County Prosecutor. All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.