Drone locates three suspects wanted for stolen vehicle after police pursuit

LAGRANGE COUNTY, Ind.—Three people were arrested on theft and drug charges on Thursday when a drone located them in LaGrange County after leading police on a high speed pursuit in a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Michigan. 

The LaGrange County Sheriff was notified of a possible stolen vehicle in the area near CR-700 S and State Road 23 in Wolcottville on March 28 around 7:24 p.m.

The vehicle, a Green GMC Sierra, had been reported stolen out of Bronson, Michigan.

After it was located, the stolen vehicle led police on a pursuit that, at times, reached speeds up to 100 miles per hour.

The pursuit entered into Noble County before going back into LaGrange County. The vehicle then left the road, returned to the road, and finally entered a field near CR-275 S and CR-400 E and became inoperable, according to police.

The occupants exited the vehicle and headed south into a wooded area.

Police used a drone to locate the three suspects, who were then taken into custody without further incident.

While completing an inventory to impound the heavily damaged vehicle, police located marijuana and methamphetamine.

The three suspects were identified as Brandon Michael Jackson, 27, of Kendallville, Cassandra Jean Centers, 27, of Goshen, and Ethan W. Gayhart, 18, of LaGrange.

All three suspects were booked into the LaGrange County Jail on preliminary charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting law enforcement with a motor vehicle, resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of marijuana.

Police say more charges may be added as the incident is still under investigation.