COLDWATER — Already facing felony charges in Indiana, Cory Thomas, 40, was brought to the Branch County Jail to face charges here, after he ran from Michigan State Police on I-69 on Sept. 24.

Thomas, who listed addresses in Minnesota and Warsaw, Indiana, was weaving all over southbound I-69 just after 11 p.m. when MSP Trooper Robert Herrst clocked him at 79 mph. When he turned on his lights and siren, Thomas took off into Indiana at even higher speeds.

Near the toll road exchange, Thomas — in his 1999 Dodge pick-up truck — went the wrong way on a ramp. He then left the highway and ran through a perimeter fence, where he stuck his car in mud in a drainage ditch.

The pursuit continued on and off the roadway. The chase crossed Indiana and Michigan state lines multiple times, according to the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office.

As the trooper came up on him, Thomas jumped from the car, leaving his shoes in the mud and running into a wooded area.

An MSP K-9 officer was called, and Thomas was finally arrested by Angola City Police after he was tracked down.

Officers found a six-pack of beer in the truck with an open can and a small amount of marijuana. His blood alcohol level was .09.

Branch County prosecutors charged Thomas with fleeing and eluding police and resisting arrest, both two-year felonies, as well as misdemeanor possession of marijuana and drunk driving. His bond was set at $35,000.

Thomas is also charged with fleeing police, marijuana possession and drunk driving in Indiana. Steuben County released him on a $3,000 personal appearance bond, with a Nov. 14 pre-trial conference on the felony charge.

Thomas is being held here under a $35,000 bond, with preliminary proceeding set within the next 21 days.

Source: The Daily Reporter