STARKE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Starke County Sheriff's Office reports officers with the North Judson Police Department conducted a traffic stop near 809 W. Talmer Ave. on Monday around 1:40 p.m.

The report states the officers requested a K9 at which point a SCSO K9 deputy responded to the scene.

While the deputy was retrieving his K9 partner, the North Judson officers directed the occupants of the vehicle to exit.

The report states that's when the driver put the vehicle in gear and quickly fled the scene, nearly striking an officer and the K9 deputy.

Authorities say the vehicle accelerated to a high rate of speed traveling west.

The pursuing officers say they witnessed smoke coming from the vehicle, at which point it began to slow down.

The report states the suspect vehicle then pulled into a field near 600 W. and S.R. 10, before the driver, later identified as 30-year-old Randal Mareska of North Judson, exited and ran north into the woods.

The Starke County deputy followed the vehicle into the field and gave K9 announcements over the squad car's PA system.

Mareska then turned around, placing his hands in the air.

He then tripped while walking backwards away from the police.

The officers then took Mareska into custody.

The K9 was then deployed to do a free air sniff of the suspect vehicle, which led to a positive alert to the presence of narcotics.

The report states officers located suspected methamphetamine, fentanyl, and other paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Mareska and his two passengers, 36-year-old Jessica Castillo and 34-year-old Jacob Morgan, both of North Judson, were taken into custody and transported to the Starke County Justice Center.

Authorities say Morgan provided a false identity before further investigation revealed his real identity and that he had active warrants.

Authorities say the suspects are preliminarily charged with Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Paraphernalia.