IMPD car chase ends in fiery crash on Southside

A police chase ended in a fiery crash on the Southside this morning, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officials.

The suspect, identified as Jordan Mitchell Smith, 23, Indianapolis, led police on a high-speed chase for several blocks, IMPD Sgt. Jo Moore said. Smith crashed into a utility pole at Troy Avenue and Shelby Street, where the stolen Dodge Neon he was driving burst into flames.

Smith was pulled from the car and checked at the scene. He had no significant injuries and was taken into custody.

Moore said the incident began around 6:19 a.m. when Smith's ex-girlfriend called police to a residence in the 2800 block of S. State Avenue.

The former girlfriend told police that Smith, who has a long history with police, had vandalized her car by putting oatmeal in the gas tank and tried to set the car on fire.

Police quickly caught up with Smith after receiving a description of the vehicle from his ex-girlfriend and chased him from Beech Grove.

Call Star reporter Bill McCleery at (317) 444-6083. Follow him on Twitter: @BillMcCleery01.