Nappanee man arrested after high-speed chase on motorcycle

A Nappanee man was arrested Monday after leading Milford police on a chase that ended in Warsaw.

John A. Slabaugh, 47, is charged with resisting law enforcement using a vehicle, a class 6 felony; reckless driving, a class “A” misdemeanor; and driving while suspended with a prior, a class “A” misdemeanor, according to a news release from the Milford Police Department.

At 7:52 p.m. Monday, Milford Police officers spotted Slabaugh when they went to investigate a mobile home fire at 310 Turkey Creek Drive. The trailer was destroyed in an early Monday morning fire. Investigators are still investigating the fire and have termed it “suspicious.”

While police were approaching the residence, Slabaugh fled on his motorcycle and led officers on a high-speed pursuit south on Old 15 and  Ind. 15 and into Warsaw, according to a press release from police.

Slabaugh crashed his motorcycle into a wooded area at the end of South Detroit Street.

While apprehending Slabaugh, Milford Police Lt. Tim Miller suffered an injury to his right hand. Miller was treated and released from Kosciusko Community Hospital.

Officer Brandon Shipp was the second officer riding with Miller during the pursuit and assisted in Slabaugh’s apprehension.

Slabaugh was not injured in the wreck, according to the press release from police.

Travis Marsh, Milford town marshal, said Slabaugh is considered a “person of interest” in the fire investigation because he was at the fire scene for an unknown reason.

The Milford Police was assisted by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Warsaw Police and Lutheran EMS.