Report: Theft led to police pursuit

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GREENFIELD — A high-speed police chase that started in Greenfield reached speeds of 100 mph and ended when the driver crashed into a tree in Fishers.

And it was all over a stolen winch, police said.

The chase began around 7 p.m. Tuesday when Greenfield police went to Tractor Supply Co. in Greenfield in response to a shoplifting report, Greenfield Police Chief John Jester said.

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A man was seen stealing a winch from the home improvement store, Jester said. After being initially confronted by an off-duty Hancock County sheriff’s deputy, the man sped from the parking lot in a Dodge pickup truck and headed north on State Street, passing another off-duty police officer in the process.

Officers chased the driver north on State Road 9 to State Road 234, west on State Road 234 to County Road 500W and north on County Road 500W to County Road 1000N.

The man turned west onto County Road 1000N (96th Street) and struck a tree near Olio Road, Jester said.

Sam Rifner, 37, of Greenfield, was arrested at the scene.

No one was injured in the incident, Jester said.

Rifner faces charges of theft and resisting arrest.