Information on an incident which occurred in Berne Wednesday afternoon and ended in Fort Wayne after a lengthy police chase, has been released by the Decatur Police Department.
The Decatur police statement:
“On Wednesday, September 27, 2023, at approximately 1 PM, officers with the Berne Police Department responded to a report of possible fraudulent activity occurring at a business located in the 200 block of Heritage Trail.
“One suspect was detained by responding officers, while a second fled the scene in a motor vehicle.
“Officers with the Decatur Police Department located the suspect vehicle, near the intersection of US Highway 27 and Winchester Street, where they attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
“The vehicle failed to yield to law enforcement officers, and a pursuit ensued. This vehicle pursuit traveled north through Decatur and towards Fort Wayne on US 27/33.
“The vehicle pursuit ended near the intersection of Tillman Road and Hanna Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, when the driver abandoned the vehicle and continued to flee on foot. After a brief foot chase the suspect was apprehended by officers.
“The suspects were identified as 28-year-old Lawrence Freeman who is charged with Fraud and Resisting Law Enforcement both as felonies, and 34-year-old Paul Lane who is charged with Fraud as a felony.
“Both suspects are currently incarcerated at the Adams County Detention Center.
“A subsequent investigation indicates that both of these individuals have been committing similar criminal acts at numerous businesses in Northeast Indiana.
“Law enforcement officers with the Berne Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Allen County Sheriff’s Office, and Fort Wayne Police Department also assisted with this incident.”