Illinois Teen Charged After High-Speed Chase Through Lake County Ends in Munster
An Illinois teenager is facing multiple charges after leading police on a high-speed chase through Lake County before abandoning his vehicle outside a restaurant in Munster, according to court documents.
Erdwin Yoel Ramirez, 19, is accused of fleeing from officers on the night of May 10, 2025. According to court documents, a Schererville police officer observed a Chrysler 300 traveling westbound on U.S. 30 at more than 70 miles per hour in a posted 45 mph zone. The vehicle had no rear license plate.
When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver fled at a high rate of speed, weaving through traffic and disregarding multiple red lights. The pursuit continued north on Calumet Avenue, east on 213th Street, and through residential areas before looping back to U.S. 30 and returning northbound on Calumet.
According to court documents, Munster Police later located the vehicle parked outside a restaurant. It appeared to have front-end damage and a hot engine. A license plate had been reattached, and a registration check confirmed the vehicle belonged to Ramirez. The vehicle was impounded.
On May 13, Ramirez appeared at the Schererville Police Department and agreed to a voluntary interview. He identified himself with an Illinois ID and waived his Miranda rights. Ramirez admitted to being the driver during the incident and said he had been returning from Dairy Queen. He acknowledged that the vehicle had no license plate and that the plate lights were not working.
When asked why he fled, Ramirez told officers, “I felt like running, I thought I was going to get away.” He said that after parking near a steakhouse in Munster, he put the plate back on the car, locked it, and went into a nearby restaurant. “I didn’t feel like dealing with this at the time,” he said, adding, “I watched the police pull up next to my car however, I did not feel like going outside to speak with them.”
Charges filed against Ramirez include:
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Using a Vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Creating a Substantial Risk (Level 6 Felony)
- Reckless Driving – Speed Endangering Safety (Class C Misdemeanor)
- Reckless Driving – Weaving Through Traffic (Class C Misdemeanor)
- Disregarding an Official Traffic Control Device (Infraction)
- Speeding (Infraction)
- Improper Display of License Plate (Infraction)
