Deputies with the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department (SJCSD) engaged in a vehicle pursuit Friday morning that ended in the arrest of one person and an ongoing search for another. Deputies attempted a traffic stop on a maroon Ford F-150 pickup truck at approximately 8:10 a.m. for a speeding infraction, according to a press release by Sheriff Mark A. Lillywhite. After eluding the stop attempt in Park Township on U.S. Highway 131 near Heimbach Road, the vehicle fled southbound. In the vicinity of Cowling Road and Mohney Lake Road, the vehicle veered into a field, where it became stuck.

The male driver and a female passenger both fled the vehicle on foot. Deputies caught up to the female, where they deployed a taser on her. Lillywhite’s release said she was resisting the deputies. She received evaluation from medical personnel before being lodged at the St. Joseph County Jail on multiple charges.

Deputies were unable to locate the male suspect, but believe they know his identity, which SJCSD is not releasing at this time. The F-150 involved in the pursuit was determined to have been stolen in Mecosta County. After searching the pickup truck following Friday morning’s pursuit, Deputies located a handgun and narcotics. The male suspect is believed to have also stolen a maroon GMC Yukon from a residence in the 14000 block of Bullock Road in Fabius Township earlier this week. It was found abandoned in the City of Kalamazoo on Friday.

SJCSD Deputies received assistance on the scene by the Michigan State Police, the Three Rivers and White Pigeon Police Departments, and the Three Rivers Police Department. SJCSD asks anyone with information on the case to contact Deputy Pete Vandenbrink at 269-467-6045, extension 325.

Dave Vago is a writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.