A 24-year-old Jackson County man faces felony charges of escape and possession of a stolen vehicle related to an incident reported Saturday in southern Jennings County.

Matthew Davis of Seymour was arrested on those charges and misdemeanor charges of resisting law enforcement and operating while never having received a driver’s license after eluding police for nearly four hours.

The incident that led to his arrest began when the owner of Commiskey Corner Store in Montgomery Township called 911 to report his friend’s stolen 1992 Jeep Cherokee was at the store, and he had detained the man driving that vehicle. That call was made at 4 p.m.

Jennings County officers David Turner and Anthony Maberry responded and handcuffed Davis.

As he was being read his Miranda rights, Davis got away from the two officers and fled across the road into a wooded area, police said.

While Turner chased Davis on foot, Maberry drove his car to a nearby road in an effort to get in front of Davis.

Police said at some point, Davis was able to get his handcuffed hands in front of him and continued to run through the woods and across fields.

State troopers also arrived and help set up a perimeter, and Jefferson County K-9 Officer Josh Cochran and his K-9, Glock, also arrived and assisted in the search.

At about 8 p.m., Sheriff Gary Driver spotted Davis crossing a creek near County Road 75W. Driver drove around the creek to a nearby residence and was able to take Davis into custody without incident.

Davis was transported to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital in North Vernon, where he was treated for a minor injury to his wrist.

He was then booked into the Jennings County Jail and was being held on a $1,055 bond. Escape is a Level 5 felony, punishable by one to six years in prison upon conviction, and possession of a stolen vehicle is a Level 6 felony.