MIAMI CO. – On Friday, June 16, 2023, two people were arrested after leading an ISP Trooper on a pursuit in Miami and Fulton counties.
Around 9:10 p.m., ISP Trooper Blake Sarver was patrolling on US 31 in Miami County when he observed a gold passenger vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Trooper Sarver clocked the vehicle at 103 miles per hour in a 60 mph zone and turned to stop the car.
The vehicle, a 2018 Ford, continued northbound on US 31, and the driver refused to stop. The driver fled at high speeds and led Sarver on a pursuit through Miami and Fulton County roadways reaching speeds of approximately 130 mph.
Trooper Dustin Powers and Trooper Kegan Kern placed stop sticks at the intersection of Old US 31 and County Road 650 S., Fulton County. The driver stopped the Ford prior to hitting the stop sticks. The driver, identified as 22-year-old Michael J. Leonard, and his passenger, 18-year-old Ciarra R. Blameuser, both of Carmel, were taken into custody without incident.
A subsequent search of the Ford revealed THC wax, marijuana, synthetic urine, and drug paraphernalia. Both were incarcerated at the Miami County Jail.
Leonard is facing charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, possession of marijuana, possession of synthetic urine, reckless driving, reckless driving, operating a vehicle without financial responsibility
Blameuser is facing charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia.
Trooper Sarver was assisted by officers with the Indiana State Police Peru District, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rochester Police Department.
