Porter County

A LaPorte man is facing multiple criminal charges after Portage Police say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit through Porter County in a Ford Explorer displaying a fake license plate reading “WILL RUN.”

According to a Portage Police report, the incident began at approximately 3:05 p.m. on July 23, when an officer patrolling near Crisman Road and Old Porter Road observed a white Ford Explorer with the false registration accelerating northbound at a high rate of speed.

Police said the officer attempted a traffic stop by activating emergency lights and sirens, but the driver instead accelerated through a red light at U.S. 20 and Crisman Road, initiating the pursuit.

Investigators said the Explorer continued onto State Road 249 before reaching the Interstate 94 eastbound entrance ramp. During the pursuit, the driver allegedly cut across all lanes of traffic, passed behind a semi-truck in what police believe was an attempt to avoid law enforcement, and weaved through traffic at high speed.

The pursuit ended near the 20.8-mile marker on I-94 after officers safely maneuvered behind the SUV and brought it to a stop.

The driver, identified as Alejandro Yandel Gonzalez, 20, of LaPorte, was taken into custody at gunpoint without incident. According to the report, Gonzalez repeatedly told officers he “was scared” and did not know why he fled.

The vehicle was impounded, and during an inventory search officers reported finding:

  • Nine THC marijuana vape cartridges.
  • A false and fictitious license plate displaying “WILL RUN.”

Police also recovered and secured for safekeeping:

  • A white rifle chambered in 5.56 caliber.
  • Approximately 65 rounds of 5.56 ammunition.
  • Approximately 123 rounds of .223 ammunition.
  • A backpack containing an Apple iPad, Beats headphones, Walker headphones, a brown journal, a round catcher and a 5.56 magazine.

The report notes the firearm was inventoried as property and was not listed as evidence in the criminal case.

Gonzalez was transported to the Porter County Jail and is facing preliminary charges of:

  • Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
  • Aggressive Driving (Class A Misdemeanor)
  • Criminal Recklessness (Class B Misdemeanor)
  • Reckless Driving Causing Property Damage (Class B Misdemeanor)
  • Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash (Class B Misdemeanor)
  • Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)

As with all criminal cases, the charges against Gonzalez are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.