Man accused of trying to rob gas station, leading police on chase

ELKHART, Ind. - A man was arrested on Sunday after he allegedly tried to rob a gas station and then led police on a chase, according to the Elkhart Police Department.

James Davis, 37, of Elkhart, was arrested on the charges of robbery, resisting law enforcement, and unlawful possession of a syringe.

At 2 a.m., officers were called to the 1900 block of Cassopolis Street after a silent panic alarm was activated.

Officers arrived and spoke with an employee there, who said she was working at the register when a man in a silver SUV, later identified as Davis, came in and brought items to the counter.

Davis then allegedly demanded the employee give him money from the cash register and the safe.

When the employee wouldn't give him the money, Davis left the gas station, got into the SUV, and drove away, heading north on Cassopolis Street.

When another officer saw a Honda CRV that matched the description of the suspect vehicle traveling north on Cassopolis Street, they tried to perform a traffic stop.

Instead of stopping, Davis turned east onto Merrill Street, went off the road, and into the woods, reports said.

He then got out of the vehicle and began running, police said.

Police caught Davis in the 600 block of C.R. 6 E and took him into custody.  

He was taken to the Elkhart County Jail and booked for robbery and resisting law enforcement as well as for an outstanding and unrelated warrant.

At the jail, staff found a syringe on Davis's person.

He was also charged with one count of unlawful possession of a syringe.

UPDATE: On November 10, 2022, Davis was sentenced to five years at the Indiana Department of Correction with two years suspended for robbery. He was sentenced to one year in the Department of Correction for resisting law enforcement. These sentences will be served consecutively. His unlawful possession of syringe charge was dismissed.