A Marion man is now in custody after he led Marion Police officers on a wild chase after an alleged drug deal.
During the chase, 44-year-old Paul Stephney nearly hit several vehicles, including a police cruiser, went air born leaving a gouge in the road, and later struck a fire hydrant then tried to run away on foot.
On Thursday, Aug. 22 at approximately 11:05 a.m., Det. Sgt. Mark Stefanatos was driving in the 2000 block of South Boots St. northbound when he observed what appeared to be a drug transaction taking place between a female and a male driving a white Mercury, according to MPD Capt. Stephen Dorsey.
Det. Sgt. Stefanatos stopped his Marion Police detective vehicle and opened his door to confront the two individuals. As Det. Sgt. Stefanatos was exiting his vehicle he yelled “Police”, at which time the female began to walk away from the Mercury, and the driver of the Mercury promptly put the vehicle into gear and began driving away – nearly striking the police vehicle.
Det. Sgt. Stefanatos reported that the driver fled through the intersection of 20th and Boots streets and failed to stop. The driver nearly made contact with a parked car. Det. Sgt. Stefanatos activated his police lights and the driver stopped for a second and then took off at a high rate of speed.
The driver fled north on Boots St. driving in a reckless manner with no regard to public safety, according to Dorsey. The driver was estimated of traveling over 80 mph in an attempt to flee police. The driver failed to stop at the marked intersections where there was a stop sign on 18th and Boots, 14th and Boots and 10th and Boots streets.
Upon the driver crossing 10th St. he crossed the railroad tracks and went air born, flying approximately 65 feet, and crashed down gouging the roadway.
As the driver approached the intersection of Ninth and Boots streets, where Det. Jason Thomas was sitting in his detective vehicle with his red and blue lights activated, the driver again failed to stop at the intersection.
The driver continued northbound on Boots St. and approached Seventh and Boots streets, where he left the roadway and struck a Marion City fire hydrate — knocking it off its base and dragging it.
The vehicle came to a stop at which time the driver exited the vehicle and began to run.
At this time officers gave chase on foot and were able to apprehend the driver as he attempted to gain entry into a residence in the 600 Block of South Boots St.
The vehicle is a 2001’ Mercury, white in color, the owner is Tamika Parker of Marion.
Upon a search of Stephney’s person, police located individual baggies of heroin, along with two other baggies in which the substance will have to be identified by the Indiana State Police Laboratory.
Officers searched the Mercury and located baggies containing heroin, currency, a set of digital scales and cell phones.
Stephney was charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident, criminal mischief, no valid driver’s license and driving while suspended.
He’s also being held on active Felony warrants from Hamilton County for dealing narcotics. Stephney was transported to Marion General Hospital where he was cleared. He was then transported to the Grant County Jail without further incident.
