COLUMBUS, Ind. – Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 700 block of Central Avenue on Thursday at around 4:30 p.m. The car did not pull over, supposedly trying to evade deputies, and a short high-speed chase began.
After several blocks, law enforcement says the driver, Michael Lawless, 53, of Columbus, exited the vehicle in front of a residence in the 2100 block of Sixth Street.
Lawless was found to have a suspended driver’s license and, during the stop, a BCSO K-9 alerted to the smell of narcotics inside the car. A substance that deputies believe to be methamphetamine was allegedly found scattered on the driver’s seat.
Lawless was taken into custody and is facing a preliminary charge of possession of meth. He was also issued a citation for driving while suspended and not yielding to oncoming vehicles at intersections.