Published: April 21, 2008 10:18 am         

Chase ends with suspect charged with felonies

SYRACUSE, Ind. — A Cromwell man was arrested on drug and firearm charges Sunday morning after a vehicle and foot chase by Syracuse police.

Syracuse police reported an officer was investigating a report of a possible stolen vehicle on North Lake Street when at 11:30 a.m. an officer saw the vehicle traveling north on Lake Street from Benton Street. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle as it had been confirmed that the vehicle was stolen out of Mishawaka.

Police said the driver fled north on Ind. 13, crossing into Elkhart County and then went east, crossing back into Kosciusko County and finally entered Noble County. The vehicle pursuit ended at the public access area of Eagle Lake in Noble County, south of Ligonier. The driver then fled on foot, according to police. Officers caught the driver a short time later.

Police reported they found a sawed-off shotgun in the vehicle, a Halloween mask, several burglary tools and a methamphetamine lab. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Laboratory Team was called to the scene to remove the meth lab and chemicals.

The driver, Douglas A. Quinn, 32, of Cromwell, was booked into the Noble County Jail on charges of operating a methamphetamine lab while in possession of a firearm as a Class B felony; possession of two or more precursors while in possession of a firearm as a Class C felony; and fleeing law enforcement as a Class D felony. Quinn is being held without bond at this time. Charges are also being filed in Kosciusko County for fleeing law enforcement, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a sawed-off shotgun and possession of a stolen vehicle.

The Syracuse Police were assisted by Noble County Sheriff's Department, Elkhart County Sheriff's Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Ligonier Police Department, Albion Police Department and the Indiana State Police.