On Christmas day at approximately 12:18 a.m. CT, a message was sent to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department regarding an individual with a firearm that arrived at a residence near the 6000 North block of 300 East in Hamlet.
Shay Moorefield, 26, reportedly arrived at the residence and had a firearm in his possession. Throughout the day, police say the Starke County Sheriff’s Department had two additional calls involving Moorefield having a firearm in his possession. Moorefield was known by police to have two warrants for his arrest, one through Knox City Court and the other through La Porte County.
Starke County Sheriff’s Department deputies, along with Knox City Police officers began traveling in the direction of the call. While en route, the caller advised that Moorefield had left the residence in a gray-colored Chevy Avalanche traveling southbound on 300 East.
A Starke County deputy was able to locate the vehicle while traveling southbound. The Chevy Avalanche turned eastbound on 400 North as the deputy attempted to catch the vehicle.
The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle near the 3500 East block of 400 North. The vehicle turned down a long driveway 100 yards before coming to a stop.
Due to a firearm being involved, the Starke County deputy remained near his patrol vehicle until additional officers could arrive.
Once an additional Starke County Deputy and Knox City Police officers arrived, commands were given to Moorefield to exit the vehicle. He was taken into custody at that time, with a firearm being located inside of his front waistband, according to the report.
The serial number on the firearm was run through the national database and found to be stolen out of Marshall County.
A pat down was performed on Moorefield before being placed into a fully marked police vehicle. Police say two glass pipes were located on his person. The glass pipes later field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the report.
Formal charges will be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
