NORTH VERNON, Ind. – Two men were arrested Monday night after a Jennings County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted a traffic stop, at around 8 p.m., on a car driven by Michael Franklin, 43, of Floyd Knobs. Instead of pulling over, law enforcement says the vehicle accelerated and fled north on County Road 600W in Spencer Township.
While in pursuit, officers say they observed an occupant of the car throw articles out of the window. As the chase continued, another deputy used a tire deflation device near County Roads 550W and 300N. The driver then supposedly traveled off the road through a large field. The vehicle eventually became disabled in a drainage ditch, where Franklin and another man, Robert Sibley, of Madison, fled on foot. Officers apprehended both suspects after a brief foot pursuit.
Deputies went back to the area where articles had been thrown from the car and allegedly found one pound of methamphetamine and approximately one ounce of heroin/fentanyl. Over $3,000 in U.S. currency was also reportedly seized from Sibley. Both men were taken to Jennings County Jail.
Franklin was charged with dealing meth, resisting law enforcement, possession of meth, possession of a syringe, and possession of marijuana. Sibley was booked for dealing meth, possession of meth, resisting law enforcement, possession of a syringe, and possession of marijuana.
