Aug 25, 2015 2 min read

A Bulger man faces charges stemming from an underage drinking party that Smith Township police were called to earlier this month in the state game lands off Harmon Creek Road.

Cody James Scariot, 21, of 948 Grant St., was charged by township police with aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police and disorderly conduct.

Police had received a tip from an anonymous caller of a possible underage drinking party in the early hours of Aug. 15.

While the two officers were on foot approaching the area of the suspected party, a red, four-door Suzuki driven by a man with four occupants took off at a high speed out of the lawn and onto the gravel road.

The officers shined their flashlights, identified themselves as police and ordered the driver, later identified as Scariot, to stop.

Police said the driver looked at them, hesitated and then accelerated, forcing the two officers to jump out of the way. Scariot then fled at a high speed, police said.

The two officers decided not to pursue the vehicle because of the other vehicles and juveniles approaching. They determined it would be unsafe to leave one officer with several intoxicated people.

Police later received information about the driver and where to find the vehicle.

Police talked with Scariot later that day and said he admitted to driving the vehicle and hearing the officers’ commands.

He reportedly told police that he was scared, and when his friends inside his car told him to go, he took off.

Charges were sent by summons Monday from the office of District Judge Gary Havelka.

A preliminary hearing is set for Oct. 7 before Havelka.