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NEDERLAND — A Beaumont man that police believe was harboring a runaway and led authorities on a chase was indicted for evading arrest.

A Jefferson County grand jury indicted Nicholas Jay Barton, 22, this week for the Dec. 12 incident.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the case began when Nederland Police Department received a report of a 16-year-old runaway female. She was reportedly with Barton, who was identified via a doorbell camera.

Nederland Police conducted surveillance at Barton’s home in Beaumont and attempted to stop Barton when he left the home.

The pursuit ended in the 1000 block of West Cardinal Drive, where Barton stopped the vehicle and surrendered.

He was arrested for evading arrest with a vehicle with bond set at $10,000 and harboring a runaway with bond set at $3,000.

As of Thursday he was still in the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

An indictment is not a final conviction of guilt; it is only a ruling by the grand jury that allows the district attorney’s office to proceed with a criminal case.