East Chicago Man Charged After Alleged Police Pursuit, Crash Into Occupied Vehicle, Drugs Found
Leonel Alcides Erazo, 50, of East Chicago, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after East Chicago Police say he led officers on a prolonged vehicle pursuit through city streets, crashed into an occupied parked vehicle, fled on foot, and was later found in possession of cocaine and marijuana while intoxicated.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on January 27, 2026, at approximately 9:04 p.m., police observed a silver Chevrolet traveling near 151st Street and Indianapolis Boulevard with a broken headlight. When officers activated emergency lights and sirens to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle failed to stop and began fleeing through residential streets and alleys.
Police reported the vehicle traveled through multiple streets including Railroad Avenue, Olcott Avenue, Magoun Avenue, Northcote Avenue, Chicago Avenue, and onto Cline Service Road before entering Cline Avenue. Officers stated the vehicle was driving erratically, disregarding traffic control devices, traveling left of center into oncoming traffic, and causing multiple near collisions with other vehicles.
The affidavit states the vehicle exited near 169th Street, lost control, and crashed into a ditch but regained control and continued fleeing. Police said the vehicle later drove onto a lawn in the 7200 block of 24th Avenue before continuing and crashing into a white vehicle parked in the driveway of a residence in the 2400 block of Blaine Street. A woman inside the parked vehicle complained of neck pain.
Officers continued pursuing the vehicle until it stopped in the 7000 block of 24th Avenue, where the driver exited and fled on foot. Police gave repeated commands for him to stop and deployed a Taser after he ignored commands. Officers stated Erazo continued to resist while they attempted to place him in restraints.
Officers reported detecting a strong odor of alcoholic beverages on Erazo’s breath and clothing. Police observed watery, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and unsteady balance. Erazo reportedly told officers, “few beers, I’m drunk, my life is over.”
During a search, officers located a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance and a second baggie containing green leafy vegetation in his pants pocket. Field tests showed the substances tested positive for cocaine and marijuana. Officers also located empty beer bottles inside the vehicle.
Police determined Erazo’s driver’s license was suspended and that he had prior convictions for Resisting Law Enforcement and Driving While Suspended. Erazo refused to submit to a chemical breath test after being read Indiana’s implied consent law.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed January 29,2026:
• Possession of Cocaine — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Using a Vehicle) — Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Using a Vehicle) — Level 6 Felony
• Driving While Suspended (Prior) — Class A Misdemeanor
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Bodily Injury — Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License (Prior) — Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person — Class A Misdemeanor
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Forcibly) — Class A Misdemeanor
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Forcibly) — Class A Misdemeanor
• Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Vehicle Damage) — Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
• Operating While Intoxicated — Class C Misdemeanor
• Improper Headlights — Infraction
• Improper Driving on Left Side of Roadway — Infraction
• Disregarding an Official Traffic Control Device — Infraction
