Peru man arrested after vehicle pursuit

FULTON COUNTY, Ind. — Indiana State Police have confirmed that a man from Peru, Indiana, was arrested on Wednesday after leading a trooper on a chase.

According to ISP, a trooper was patrolling on old US 31 near County Road 400 South just after 3 p.m. The trooper noticed a vehicle driving left of center and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on it. That vehicle initially stopped, but then fled, leading the trooper on a chase.

The driver threw a substance out of the vehicle during the pursuit, which was later found to be methamphetamine, ISP reported. Later, officers searched the driver’s vehicle and found other controlled substances.

At the conclusion of the chase, ISP determined that the driver was 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Azbell. The trooper determined Azbell was under the influence, which led him to administer field sobriety tests. Azbell was then transferred to an area hospital, ISP said, before heading to the Fulton County Jail.

Now, Azbell faces preliminary charges of:

• Possession of methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony)
• Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
• Obstruction of justice (Level 6 Felony)
• Possession of a controlled substance (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Reckless Driving (Class C Misdmeanor)

If convicted, Azbell could face up to 2.5 years in prison.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 59.