WINCHESTER, Ind. – A motorist who began speeding down Randolph County roads in excess of 90 mph after seeing a police car in his rear-view mirror was arrested on drug-related charges.
Authorities said they found heroin, meth, Xanax and drug paraphernalia, including syringes, in the possession of James T. Cook, 27, of Fountain City, when he was arrested Jan. 8.
Prosecutor David Daly’s office later charged Cook with possession of a narcotic drug, maintaining a common nuisance, unlawful possession of a syringe, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.
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►The Fountain City man received a May 14 trial date in Randolph Circuit Court.
A Lynn deputy marshal said he observed Cook’s vehicle, from a distance, traveling at an estimated 95 mph in southeastern Randolph County.
Cook was arrested after pulling into a drive along County Road 300-E. He reportedly told authorities he was “driving fast because he saw the officer following him.”
A passenger in his vehicle, Alexis N. Peden, 28 – listed in court records at addresses in both Greenville and Hollansburg, Ohio – was also arrested. (Editor's note: An earlier version of this article gave the wrong first name for Alexis Peden. We regret the error.)
Police said they found meth in her purse, and also determined she was the target of an arrest warrant, stemming from a burglary case filed in Darke County, Ohio, in 2015.
She is also set to stand trial May 14 on charges of possession of meth and visiting a common nuisance.
Cook was convicted of driving while intoxicated, in Wayne County, in 2013.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.