Two arrested after North Vernon police chase

North Vernon police arrested two people after a chase yesterday morning.

An officer noticed a driver recklessly passing a garbage truck in the city at about 11:43 a.m.  When the officer tried the stop the vehicle, the driver did not pull over until a tire blew out, and the car went off the road near a pond at Muscatatuck County Park, police say. The driver and a passenger then both allegedly tried to run away.

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Department helped catch the two.

The driver,  27 year old Clarence Howard III of Butlerville, was allegedly carrying a syringe and heroin. He is facing preliminary drug possession charges along with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, criminal recklessness with a vehicle and criminal mischief. He was also wanted on a warrant.

The passenger, 25 year old Elbert Howard Jr. of North Vernon is facing a charge of resisting law enforcement and an outstanding warrant.