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6 arrested after high-speed chase in Johnson Co.

JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — Six people were arrested early Thursday after a police chase involving a stolen car ended in a crash in Franklin.

According to a probable cause affidavit from police, an officer spotted a stolen car from Michigan driving south on I-65 near the 94 mile marker around 5:40 a.m.

After the officer activated his lights, the stolen vehicle pulled off the interstate and onto westbound State Road 44. The vehicle briefly stopped before speeding off, reaching 96 mph in a 40 mph zone near SR 44 and Middleton Street, according to police.

The stolen vehicle continued west onto King Street, disregarding stop signs and traveling nearly 75 miles per hour over the speed limit, police said.

The driver lost control near King and Jackson, crashing into two front yards in a residential area.

Five male juveniles, including a 12-year-old, were arrested at the scene. One suspect, who was later determined to be the driver, fled on foot but was caught a couple hours later in the 100 block of Adams Street.

One of the suspects told police the group left Jackson, Michigan, earlier in the day. They had conflicting stories on where the six were going.

The driver admitted to fleeing from police but said another person in the vehicle pushed down the accelerator peddle, resulting in the high-speed chase.

The driver also admitted to being “drunk” during an accident in Jackson, Michigan.

The suspects have not been identified.