DECATUR, Ind. (ADAMS) – Two people are facing felony charges after a police chase through two northeastern Indiana counties.
Police say that at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the Berne Police Department responded to reports of “possible fraudulent activity” at a business in the 200 block of Heritage Trail.
One suspect was apprehended at the scene but the other suspect took off.
The Decatur Police Department later located the suspect in a vehicle near U.S. 27 and Winchester Road in Decatur and attempted a traffic stop.
The suspect vehicle failed to stop, leading to a pursuit that ended near the intersection of Hanna Street and Tillman Road in Fort Wayne, according to the Decatur Police Department.
When the suspect’s vehicle stopped, they attempted to get away on foot before police detained the suspect, according to the Decatur Police Department.
The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Lawrence Freeman who is charged with Fraud and Resisting Law Enforcement both as felonies, and 34- 34-year-old Paul Lane who is charged with Fraud as a felony.
Police said they have reason to believe the two have been involved in such acts towards other businesses in the past.
The Decatur Police Department released the following:
On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at approximately 1:20 PM, officers with the Berne Police Department responded to a report of possible fraudulent activity occurring at a business located in the 200 block of Heritage Trail. One suspect was detained by responding officers, while a second fled the scene in a motor vehicle.
Officers with the Decatur Police Department located the suspect vehicle, near the intersection of US Highway 27 and Winchester Street, where they attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The vehicle failed to yield to law enforcement officers, and a pursuit ensued. This vehicle pursuit traveled north through Decatur and towards Fort Wayne on US 27/33. The vehicle pursuit ended near the intersection of Tillman Road and Hanna Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, when the driver abandoned the vehicle and continued to flee on foot. After a brief foot chase the suspect was apprehended by officers.
The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Lawrence Freeman who is charged with Fraud and Resisting Law Enforcement both as felonies, and 34- year-old Paul Lane who is charged with Fraud as a felony. Both suspects are currently incarcerated at the Adams County Detention Center.
A subsequent investigation indicates that both of these individuals have been committing similar criminal acts at numerous businesses in Northeast Indiana. Law enforcement officers with the Berne Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and Fort Wayne Police Department also assisted with this incident. This investigation is still ongoing.
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