ELKHART COUNTY – On July 7, 2026, at approximately 8:40 a.m., Master Trooper Danny Burch was on patrol in Elkhart County near the intersection of State Road 19 and County Road 26.
At that time, Burch observed a Ford F-150 traveling at a high rate of speed. After observing the violation, Burch attempted to conduct a traffic stop with his emergency lights and siren. The driver of the Ford F-150 failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated. During the pursuit, the driver of the F-150 left the roadway multiple times and eventually got stuck in a cornfield near the intersection of State Road 19 and County Road 30.
The suspect then exited the F-150 and fled on foot through a yard and a nearby corn field. Law Enforcement personnel then set up a perimeter where the suspect was eventually located. Upon locating the suspect, he was given loud verbal commands. The suspect then failed to comply with these commands and began advancing towards a Trooper. A taser was then used to apprehend the suspect, and they were placed in custody. It was then learned that the suspect was a 13-year-old juvenile female from Elkhart County. The Ford F-150 used during the pursuit was also reported stolen out of Goshen, IN. The juvenile was eventually transported to the hospital for medical clearance. After it was confirmed that the juvenile had no injuries, she was transported to the Elkhart Juvenile Justice Center in Elkhart, IN.
During this incident, the Indiana State Police were assisted by the Elkhart City Police Department, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Wakarusa Police Department, and the Goshen Police Department.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
