Two Angola Men Arrested After a Near Head-on Collision with State Trooper

(Angola, IND.)- The Indiana State Police report that on Sunday, March 8, 2020, at approximately 8:50 PM, Indiana State Police Sergeant Matt Lazoff was patrolling on Mill Street in Angola, when he reported that his vehicle was nearly struck head-on by a passing erratic driver in a Saturn SUV. While pursuing the vehicle, Lazoff observed items being thrown from both driver and passenger side windows. After getting the vehicle stopped, and upon further investigation, it was discovered that the items discarded out the window by the driver, Jeremy L. Combs (31), and the passenger Matthew Drew (37), were bags of suspected Methamphetamine along with other drug paraphernalia.

Both Combs and Drew were taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Steuben County Jail where they were booked on felony related drug charges. Drew was also wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic battery.

Arrested-  Jeremy L. Combs (31), Angola, IN

• Charges:               Ct 1) Possession Controlled Substance; Meth, Level 6 Felony
•                              Ct 2) Possession Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
•                              Ct 3) Operating W/Controlled Substance, Class C Misdemeanor

Arrested-    Matthew E. Drew (37), Angola, IN

• Charges:               Ct 1) Possession Controlled Substance: Meth, Level 6 Felony
•                              Ct 2) Possession Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor

Sgt. Lazoff is a 2001 graduate of Northrop High School in Fort Wayne and in 2006 he earned his Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University, Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW). Lazoff was accepted to the 67th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy and on July 8, 2007, he was appointed as a Trooper and assigned to the Toll Road Post. He was responsible for patrol duties in Lake, LaPorte, Porter, and St. Joseph Counties.  In 2011, Lazoff was awarded the Department’s Meritorious Service Award for his efforts as the Trooper with the most OWI arrests for the Toll Road Post.

In July of 2012, Sgt. Lazoff transferred to the Fort Wayne Post where he has patrolled DeKalb, LaGrange and Steuben Counties. In July of 2014, Lazoff was promoted to the rank of Corporal where he served as a District Duty Officer for the Fort Wayne Post as a first-line supervisor.  During his career, Lazoff has served as a Field Training Officer, a member of the SCUBA Team and a member of the Clandestine Laboratory Team. He also maintains a Level III Certification through the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. Lazoff and his family are residents of rural Steuben County.