Elkhart officers led on brief chase Saturday morning

ELKHART, Ind. -- Elkhart police officers were led on a short foot chase early Saturday (Dec. 2) morning when they attempted to make a routine traffic stop near the intersection of 3rd St. and Jefferson St. in Elkhart.

According to the Elkhart Police Department, at approx. 1 a.m., officers on a special detail witnessed a traffic infraction on 3rd St. and attempted to pull the vehicle over. The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu pulled off Jefferson St. and on to Jackson Place where they pulled into a driveway/alley.

It was then that 26-year-old Juan Jose Toscano Ramirez of Elkhart opened the passenger door and fled on foot. After a short chase, officers, including an officer and his K9 partner, detained Ramirez at 320 W. Jackson Blvd.

During the pursuit, Ramirez allegedly threw a jacket. Upon inspection, the jacket contained a tactical vest and firearm that was reported stolen in 2003. Methamphetamine and Marijuana were discovered inside the Malibu.

For the incident on Saturday morning, Ramirez was arrested and booked into the Elkhart County Jail on preliminary charges of Possession of a Firearm by an Alien, Unlawful Use of Body Armor, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Resisting Law Enforcement.

He was also booked on preliminary charges of Robbery with Serious Bodily Injury and Kidnapping with a Deadly Weapon for an incident on Oct. 29 in Elkhart where the victim was allegedly hit with a board or wood of some kind and possibly a handgun, fists, and other objects, and was prevented from leaving.

The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Patrick Ponce Ruiz of Elhart, was arrested and booked on preliminary charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, and Operator Never Licensed.