Two Portage residents were charged early this morning after Portage Police said that they fled from a traffic stop in an incident which left an officer injured.

Codie L. McMahon, 19, of 6331 Meadowridge Ave., was charged with fleeing, battery to law enforcement, minor consumption of alcohol, and public intoxication, police said; Norman C. Williams, 19, of 2891 Monnier St., with fleeing and minor consumption; and Sarah Gomez, 19, of 3669 Wilshire Drive, with minor in possession of alcohol.

According to police, at 3:09 a.m. an officer stopped Gomez, who was driving, in the vicinity of Ind. 249 and I-94, on suspicion of being intoxicated. After making contact with the three in the vehicle, police said, the officer observed three cases of beer inside the vehicle. He then asked Williams to exit but after getting out of the vehicle Williams fled, police said. The officer chased Williams a short distance then returned to the vehicle.

At this point McMahon fled as well, police said, elbowing the officer in the nose in the process.

Gomez remained at the vehicle.

A search for Williams and McMahon then commenced, police said. A K-9 found and retrieved Williams from some bushes near a dumpster at the Long Horn Steak House, police said, while McMahon was apprehended on Ameriplex Drive after being tasered while running from officers.

All three were transported to Porter County Jail.

Posted 5/6/2008