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Narcotics Vehicle Pursuit Ends with Drugs and Gun Seizure

2022-NR-0325

Today at approximately 1356 hours, Deputies initiated a traffic stop on a blue Jeep Compass that was leaving an address which was being observed while a search warrant could be obtained for the residence.  The residence was under investigation for narcotics from a complaint received earlier in the day.  After initiating a traffic stop,  driver Ryan Winebrenner, refused to stop.  It was later determined that Jimmy Ray Mitchell Jr. was a passenger in the vehicle.  Deputies pursued the vehicle in the city as well as the county.  During the course of the pursuit, stop sticks were deployed by the Indiana State Police and the Sheriff’s Office.  A Deputy was nearly struck as the driver swerved toward him while deploying the stop sticks.  Both sets of stop sticks were effective, disabling the vehicle to one functioning tire.

The pursuit continued to Pollack Ave and Newburgh Road, where Winebrenner jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to flee from Deputies.  While running, he tossed approximately 5 grams of methamphetamine onto the ground.  At the time Winebrenner fled the vehicle, Deputy Luecke deployed his K-9 partner Dozer.   During the course of the apprehension, Winebrenner punched Dozer several times.  Dozer successfully apprehended Winebrenner and he was taken into custody by Deputies.

During the course of the vehicle inventory due to arrest, Deputies located and additional 11.5 grams of methamphetamine and an altered shot gun. Winebrenner was taken to Deaconess for medical treatment and later booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.  The passenger, Jimmy Ray Mitchell Jr., was transported and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail.  Please see affidavit for all charges for both individuals.