Elkhart County – Shortly after 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night an Indiana State Trooper from the Bremen Post made a routine traffic stop on an Elkhart man. That stop quickly turned into a foot chase and ended in a struggle in the middle of Hively Avenue in Elkhart.
Trooper Ben Werner stopped Scottland B. Gregory, 22, in the area of Ridgewood Drive and Hively Avenue for driving on a suspended license. Gregory’s activities were suspicious to Werner from the start as Gregory immediately exited his car and had to be told several times to get back into his vehicle. Werner spoke with Gregory briefly before returning to his police car. Gregory emerged a second time while Werner was back in his patrol car and ran north towards Hively Avenue.
Werner was able to quickly catch Gregory and a struggle ensued as Werner attempted to cuff the man. During the struggle Gregory bit the trooper several times on his left forearm. At some point during the confrontation Gregory was able to escape and ran east along Hively Avenue.
Werner again gave chase and got close enough to Gregory to deploy his taser bringing him to the ground. Gregory again resisted being cuffed and continued to fight until he was subdued by Werner with the help of several bystanders.
Gregory was taken to Elkhart General Hospital for minor injuries sustained during the arrest. He was treated and released a short time later. Werner was also treated and released from the hospital for the bite wounds he received in the apprehension of Gregory.
Gregory was booked into the Elkhart County Jail on felony charges of Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Resisting Law Enforcement.
“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
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SMITH
