Bartholomew County Sheriff deputies arrested a driver on drug-related charges after a short pursuit.
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryland Fluhr observed a traffic violation in the 700 block of Central Avenue at 4:38 p.m. Thursday, deputies said.
While attempting a traffic stop, the vehicle tried to evade Fluhr by traveling at a high rate of speed. After several blocks, the driver, identified as Michael Lawless, 53, of 630 S. Beatty Lane, exited the vehicle in front of a residence in the 2100 block of Sixth Street, deputies said.
Lawless was found to have a suspended driver’s license and, during the stop, a sheriff department K9 alerted to the odor of narcotics inside the vehicle, deputies said. A substance, believed to be methamphetamine, was found scattered on the driver’s seat, deputies said.
Lawless was arrested and taken to the Bartholomew County Jail on a preliminary charge of possession of methamphetamine, deputies said. He was being held in jail in lieu of $57,500 bond, jail officials said.
Lawless was also issued a citation for driving while suspended with a prior conviction and not yielding to oncoming vehicles at intersections, jail officials said.
