Tyrone V. Hilley, of Somers Point, New Jersey, has been charged after a traffic stop on I-80 led to the discovery of about 7 kilograms (15.43 pounds) of suspected cocaine in a rental car.

A LaPorte County sheriff’s deputy stopped the eastbound Mazda on October 15 after observing it speeding and following other vehicles too closely. During the stop, Hilley gave several explanations about how the rental vehicle traveled from California to Indiana while he was also driving a semi-truck. He said he had dropped off a truck in “Moline, Iowa”; the affidavit notes Moline is in Illinois.

The deputy’s review of license plate reader records showed the Mazda traveling from the Las Vegas area through Nevada and eastbound near Ogallala, Nebraska. The affidavit says the records and an image of a driver resembling Hilley contradicted information he had provided. Hilley later fled in the Mazda, leading officers on a pursuit that ended near Exit 77 for South Bend, where the vehicle became disabled. Deputies later found him near Rhodes Street in Roseland.

During an inventory of the vehicle, the deputy reported finding seven packages of suspected cocaine in a suitcase in the trunk. An Indiana State Police narcotics-detection K9 and a Portage Police narcotics-detection K9 both alerted to the packages. A handheld analyzer test on an opened package indicated cocaine, and the packages were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

$50,000 Laporte Cash bond posted.

Charges filed October 19, 2026:

Dealing in cocaine — Level 2 felony

Resisting law enforcement using a vehicle — Level 6 felony

Resisting law enforcement — Class A misdemeanor