Disregarding a stop sign and speeding up as to avoid an officer triggered a traffic stop for a 42-year-old Jasonville man which later resulted in his Oct. 1 arrest on multiple charges including dealing in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and theft of a firearm.

Shane Michael Wasnidge, 42, Jasonville, was arrested on charges of dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 Felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 Felony; theft of a firearm, a Level 5 Felony; unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 Felony; and driving while suspended with a prior conviction within 10 years, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Linton Police Department Lt. Bobby Pierce initiated a traffic stop on County Road 1175 West after Wasnidge failed to stop at a stop sign. Leading up to the stop, according to the probable cause prepared by Pierce, he was traveling westbound on State Road 54 near 4th Street Northwest when he observed a silver Ford Mustang – driven by Wasnidge – exit Wendy’s drive-thru. As the vehicle exited, it accelerated, traveling north on 4th Street Northeast. Pierce wrote that this caught his attention, so he began following the vehicle due to the driving behavior.

Pierce attempted to catch up to the vehicle as it traveled north exiting the city limits where 4th Street turns into County Road 1175 West. Pierce wrote that as he approached the vehicle, it sped up as if Wasnidge was attempting to avoid him. At the intersection of County Roads 200 N and 1175 W, the vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign. When Pierce activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle abruptly turned into a private driveway. Pierce wrote in the probable cause that he was familiar with the owner of the residence and believed that Wasnidge didn’t belong at the residence and was attempting to evade him.

When Wasnidge’s vehicle came to a stop, he allegedly exited quickly and attempted to walk to the residence. Pierce ordered him to stop and return to the back of his vehicle. Wasnidge alleged his cousin lived at the residence but later admitted he didn’t know who lived there.

Pierce, according to the probable cause affidavit, informed Wasnidge he suspected his driver’s license was suspended. Wasnidge admitted his license was suspended with a prior and alleged that’s why he was attempting to avoid Pierce. When running a check of Wasnidge’s license, Pierce confirmed that his license was suspended and not eligible to be reinstated until Sept. 6, 2026. Due to that status, Wasnidge was detained and backup and a towing service were requested.

Pierce conducted a search of Wasnidge due to the fact that he was going to be arrested. According to the probable cause affidavit, located inside his pants pocket were two new clear glass smoking devices commonly used to ingest methamphetamine. Also located in his pocket were several rounds of ammunition, $2,438 in cash, and other miscellaneous items.

Wasnidge’s vehicle was set to be towed; therefore, an inventory was conducted. During the inventory, the following items were located and seized as evidence, according to the probable cause affidavit:

A large black and clear bag containing a big baggie with a large amount of white crystal-like substance inside. The substance, which weighed approximately 163 grams, later field-tested positive for methamphetamine.
Multiple miscellaneous-sized baggies, some of which contained white residue were located inside a backpack
A black digital weight scale with white residue was located inside a backpack
A prescription pill container and a metal scoop were found inside a backpack
A black cell phone was located in the front driver’s seat
Ammunition was located in the center console but was not seized

During the investigation, a special investigator with the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office petitioned the court for a search warrant of Wasnidge’s residence. The search warrant was approved by Greene Circuit Court Judge Eric C. Allen at 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Upon executing the search warrant at Wasnidge’s Jasonville residence at approximately 11:52 p.m., officers from the Linton Police Department, Jasonville Police Department, Indiana State Police, and Clay County Sheriff’s Department located and seized the following items according to the probable cause affidavit:

A camouflage Mossberg 12 gauge Model 835 Shotgun
A black backpack containing several clear plastic bags, some of which contained white residue and a crystal-like substance
A black backpack with syringes
A brown shoulder holster containing two magazines with ammunition, a black Beretta .40 caliber, an additional extended magazine with ammunition. A check by Indiana State Police Trooper Gerald D. Stump Jr. showed the weapon to be stolen in March 2018.
A motorcycle license plate was also located. A record check showed the license plate belonged to a stolen Harley Davidson; however, no motorcycle matching the vehicle identification number was located.
A red and black Zaviar Z-15 rifle
A white glass plate containing a white crystal-like substance
A black digital scale containing white residue
A black and clear bag containing multiple miscellaneous-sized plastic bags. The same type of bags were in his vehicle during the traffic stop.
A white glass plate containing a broken glass smoking device and clear plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance

He was initially held without bond; however, after he appeared in Greene Circuit Court on Oct. 3 for an initial hearing, his bond was set at $75,000 surety with 10% cash allowed.