At approximately 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, a traffic stop by Indiana State Police Trooper Jon Cole led to the arrest of Jerry L Messer, 28, Peru. Messer was incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face criminal charges for possession methamphetamine, resisting law enforcement causing injury, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, two counts for battery on a law enforcement officer, and driving a vehicle while never having received an operator’s license.
Cole stopped a 2004 Pontiac Montana for a traffic violation on U.S 24 near Eel River Cemetery Road. While Cole was speaking to Messer, who was driving the Pontiac, it was allegedly revealed that Messer had never received a driver’s license. Further investigation revealed that Messer allegedly had suspected methamphetamine on his person. When the purported methamphetamine was located, Messer attempted to escape from officers. A scuffle ensued on the roadside, with Messer being taken into custody.