HUNTINGTON COUNTY, Ind. – On April 16, 2019, at approximately 2:27 a.m. Officer Colin Gouveia attempted to stop a vehicle on Manchester Avenue for a traffic violation. Officer Gouveia alleges that the vehicle failed to stop and continued Northbound on Manchester Avenue. Officer Treska began to pursue the vehicle which turned Eastbound on U.S. 24. Wabash City Police report that the vehicle pursuit turned onto numerous county roads in Wabash County and then entered Huntington County. The pursuit continued into Huntington County, back into Wabash County, and then ended in Huntington County near their 100 N and 300 W where Wabash Police allege the suspect got stuck in a field. Numerous attempts to use stop sticks were unsuccessful. The suspect was identified as Jesse L. Stouffer, 40, Andrews, was arrested and transported to Wabash County Jail. Stouffer was preliminarily arrested for: Three Warrants out of Kosciusko County, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Motor Vehicle, OWI, OWI with Controlled Substance, Reckless Driving, Criminal Confinement, Driving While Suspended, and Failure to Use Turn Signal. Assisting Wabash City Police were Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, Huntington County Sheriff’s Department, Huntington City Police Department, and Indiana State Police.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.