Update – 17 Year Old Arrested After Pursuit Tuesday
Just before 9 AM, Tuesday, 03/29/2022, the Lake County Aviation Unit began tracking a suspect in an Indiana State Police Pursuit on I-80/94, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
Indiana State Police had been following a silver passenger car from approximately the 24 mile marker of I-80/94 in Porter County, but lost the suspect vehicle at the truck stops at Burr Street in Gary, Martinez said. Aviation Unit members were able to keep the suspect in view and provide information about his movements to officers on the ground throughout the chase. Gary police officers joined in and assisted with the pursuit as it entered Lake County.
The suspect reentered I-80/94, then exited at Cline Avenue, and Gary police officers and Lake County police officers subsequently intercepted the vehicle. The vehicle became disabled at Cline Avenue and Ridge Road and the driver fled on foot.
Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers pursued the suspect on foot to the Peoples Bank branch located at 3927 Ridge Road and arrested him behind the bank. Officers had observed the suspect throw a handgun, which was later recovered and found to be loaded. A 17-year-old male from Momence, Illinois was taken into custody.
“I am extremely proud of the work of all of the police officers involved in bringing this suspect to justice,” Martinez said. “Their hard work and dedication helped to end a potentially dangerous situation safely.
The technology and proficiency of our Aviation Unit was a key factor in this arrest. Having the right tools for our officers has proven to be extremely effective in cases like this one.”
