Carjacker Shoots Woman For Vehicle Before Leading Police On Chase
On Friday, June 30, 2023, at approximately 7:01 PM New Chicago Officers were dispatched to 2955 Dekalb Ave for a report of a female being car jacked and possibly shot in the chest, according to Chief Earl Mayo.
Upon arrival officers contacted a female who was bleeding from her chest but was conscious and alert. The female advised that an unknown black male wearing a black mask approached her while she sat in her vehicle. The male then demanded her vehicle and when she refused the male fired two shots with a pistol striking her in the chest. The male then forcibly removed the female from the vehicle and sped off in an unknown direction, Mayo said.
Officers were able to put the vehicles information into the Flock LPR system and was notified that the vehicle was in the area of U.S. 20 and State Road 520. Town of Porter Officers attempted to curb the driver with police emergency lights and sirens however the driver failed to yield and a pursuit began.
The Porter Officer clocked the vehicle at approximately 75 mph. The officer noted speeds were in excess of 120 mph on U.S. 20 near Main Avenue in Pine Township.
As the suspect attempted to negotiate a curve just East of Railroad Avenue, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wooded area. The suspect was partially ejected through the windshield and asked officers for help. After being removed from the vehicle and placed into custody, officers began assessing and treating the suspect for injuries. He sustained minor injuries from the crash but was transported to a hospital for further evaluation.
During the investigation officers learned the suspect had just been released from custody in Illinois for a similar charge of armed carjacking. The suspect is a 17-year-old juvenile from Michigan City, IN. His name and information will not be released at this time.
He was released to the custody of the New Chicago Police Department and is reportedly being held at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center. Lake County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Team also assisted in this incident and took possession of the stolen vehicle.
Porter Police charged the suspect with Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony), Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony), Reckless Driving (A Misdemeanor), Never Receiving a License (C Misdemeanor), and two traffic citations. His charges in Lake County for the initial carjacking are unknown.
The female was immediately flown to the University of Chicago Hospital by UCAN in critical condition.
Chief Mayo further stated he would like the public to know that at this time we believe this to be an isolated incident and there is no threat to the general public.
This investigation is being handled by the Lake County Sheriff and New Chicago Police Department. Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or have any information can contact Chief Mayo at 219-962-1550, or at emayo@newchicagoin.gov
Assisting New Chicago was the Lake Station Police Department, Lake County Sheriff Department, New Chicago Fire Department, City of Hobart Fire Department (EMS), Porter Police Department, Burns Harbor Police Department, Porter County Sheriff Department, and Lake County Dispatch.
