Troopers Recover Multiple Stolen Vehicles Friday Night
Indiana State Trooper Haddon recovered 3 stolen vehicles the evening of Halloween, with multiple arrests, according to a release from ISP.
Haddon located one of the stolen vehicles traveling eastbound on I-94 near the Portage exit, according to Indiana State Police. Troopers followed the vehicle to the Chesterton exit where a traffic stop was initiated, but the driver failed to stop resulting in a vehicle pursuit. The pursuit continued eastbound on I-94 into LaPorte County where it exited at the 40 mile-marker, which is the South Bend/LaPorte exit ramp. The suspect vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a guardrail, coming to a rest in the median of I-94.
Four suspects were then taken into custody, two of which were juveniles. All four suspects were treated and released for minor injuries before the juveniles were released to their respective guardians. The two adults were taken into custody.
The driver, James Johnson, 18, from South Bend, IN, was transported to the Porter County Jail. He is preliminarily charged with the following:
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle- Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement Causing Risk of Serious Bodily Injury- Level 6 Felony
- Criminal Recklessness- Class B Misdemeanor
- Auto Theft- Level 6 Felony
- Aggressive Driving in a Work Zone- Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class A Misdemeanor
The other adult male passenger, Tyler L. Sykes, 18, from South Bend, IN, was also transported to the Porter County Jail and is charged with the following:
- Criminal Trespass to a Vehicle- Level 6 Felony
- Possession of Marijuana- Class B Misdemeanor
