Just before 8 a.m. on May 5th, a Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a 1998 Chevy Van that was speeding on southbound I-65, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez. The van had been traveling at approximately 93 miles an hour in a 70 mile an hour zone.
The driver pulled over but refused to get out of the van and an officer observed him attempting to hide a clear plastic bag with pills in it inside a seat. When officers attempted to remove the driver out of the van, he climbed into the driver’s seat and drove off with 2 police officers inside of the vehicle. The suspect recklessly swerved across all lanes of traffic and attempted to hit two semis. He refused all commands to stop the van and actively resisted the officers.
Eventually, the suspect opened a door and jumped out of the van while it was traveling in the middle lane of southbound I-65. One of the officers managed to get into the driver’s seat and stop the van safely on the shoulder near Lowell. The officer exited the van and began to chase the suspect who was running north on southbound I-65. The suspect refused multiple commands to stop. An officer deployed his Taser and the suspect was placed into custody.
While searching the van, police officers recovered plastic bags containing suspected MDMA pills, suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana.
43-year-old Kieth D. McCoy, of Indianapolis, is being held at the Lake County Jail. He faces 22 felony charges including kidnapping and resisting law enforcement officers. He also faces four misdemeanor charges.
“I commend these police officers for their bravery, professionalism and quick action during this dangerous incident. They remained focused; keeping the public safe and ultimately removing narcotics from our streets. The courage these officers exhibited under pressure deserves to be recognized,” Martinez said.
