WILLIAMS COUNTY, OH – A Fort Wayne man led Indiana State Police on a chase Saturday evening.

As the vehicle, reportedly a 2019 Cadillac XT5, approached the Ohio-Indiana state line, police made the decision to terminated the pursuit.

Shortly after, a trooper from Ohio State Highway Patrol located the vehicle speeding in Williams County on US 20 near County Road 11.

Reports indicate the vehicle continued driving after authorities initiated a traffic stop. A second pursuit started, which ended with a single-vehicle crash on County Road 20.

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Johnathan J. Merchant (from Fort Wayne, IN), fled on foot shortly after.

After a physical altercation in a field, Merchant was taken into custody.

He was charged with fleeing and eluding and assaulting a police officer. He was also charged with resisting arrest and operating a vehicle impaired.

Two officers sustained minor injuries from the physical altercation.

It is unknown why the chase initially began.

Merchant was incarcerated at the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO). He also has pending charges in Indiana.

The Defiance Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol was assisted by the Williams County Sheriff’s Office, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, West Unity Police Department, Pioneer Police Department, Mill Creek Fire Department and Williams County EMS.

The incident remains under investigation.