A Hope man is behind bars in Johnson County after a disturbance in Whiteland Tuesday morning.

Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 5200 block of North 525E at about 10:40 am. When they arrived, they met with two people who explained that two others had stolen their SUV and fled.

While deputies continued to speak to the pair, a member of the Greenwood Police Department located the SUV at Main Street and County Road 325E. The Greenwood Police Officer says he tried to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop.

The driver, 31-year-old Demetrius Ford, led several agencies, including Greenwood Police, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and the Beech Grove Police Department, through the streets of southern Marion County, until he bailed out of the vehicle at the Beech Grove Middle School. From there, Ford allegedly fled on foot. He was captured moments later.

During the course of the investigation it was found out that Ford had another occupant in the car with him when he left the initial scene on CR 525E in Johnson County. She was identified as 20-year-old Columbus woman. Police say she exited the vehicle on Main Street in Greenwood when the initial traffic stop was being made and Ford began fleeing.

Ford is facing preliminary charges of Auto Theft, Battery and Felony Resisting. He also has a pending warrant out of Bartholomew County. He is also currently on Probation through Bartholomew County.

Authorities say Ford was transported to an area hospital, as they suspect he ingested illegal drugs prior to his arrest.