A Warsaw man was arrested after the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department responded to call about an erratic driver traveling east on U.S. 30 near U.S. 31 in a gold Dodge minivan Wednesday, July 31 around 8:20 a.m. ET.
A deputy with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department followed the vehicle a short distance to the Pilot Travel Center and contacted the driver and lone occupant, 36-year-old Matthew Hellums. Police say while speaking with Hellums and after field sobriety testings, probable cause was found that he was under the influence of a controlled substance. A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle reportedly yielded syringes, suspected methamphetamine, and suspected fentanyl. A later search of Indiana court records later found that Hellums had also been arrested in both Tipton and Noble Counties in July of 2024 for separate other drug related charges, according to the report.
Hellums was arrested and booked into the Marshall County Jail on preliminary Level 6 Felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug, and possession of a hypodermic syringe, plus a misdemeanor charge of operating while intoxicated. Bond was set at $5,000 cash.
Formal charges will be determined by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted a the scene by the Indiana State Police.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
