A Leesburg man is behind bars this morning after leading a Winona Lake officer in a pursuit near Oswego.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies were dispatched this morning at 8:26 a.m. in reference to the driver of a vehicle who had fled Katie’s Kwik Mart, 100 N. Main St. (SR 15), Leesburg, after not paying for approximately $40 in gasoline.

Within minutes, off-duty Winona Lake Police Officer Joe Bumbaugh identified a maroon Ford van matching the vehicle description traveling eastbound on Armstrong Road near the intersection of CR 200 East. Officer Bumbaugh attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled and turned toward Oswego, eventually traveling southbound on Warsaw/Oswego Road.

As Officer Bumbaugh approached the intersection of CR 250 East and Warsaw/Oswego Road, the suspect vehicle had turned around and was headed directly into his path. The suspect vehicle purportedly stopped and Officer Bumbaugh held the driver at gunpoint after viewing the suspect obtain what appeared to be a handgun from the center counsel.

Brandon Stuart Alfano, 25, Leesburg, dropped the weapon, which was later determined to actually be a pellet gun. Alfano was taken into custody and subsequently found to be in possession of finished methamphetamine by KCSD Sgt. Mike Mulligan.

Alfano is currently being held on a prosecutorial hold by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office on preliminary charges of theft, felony fleeing law enforcement with motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and operating a motor vehicle while determined to be a habitual traffic violator.

The Winona Lake Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department were also assisted at the scene by the Indiana State Police.

The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office advises that the defendant’s charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.