Lansing Man Arrested After Pursuit Into Illinois, Cocaine Thrown From Vehicle
Jose A. Garcia, from Lansing, Illinois, is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly fleeing from police during a traffic stop and leading officers on a pursuit that crossed into Illinois, during which cocaine was thrown from the vehicle, according to court documents.
The incident occurred on March 24, 2026, at approximately 9:15 p.m. when police observed a white Chevy Tahoe traveling on Calumet Avenue with an improperly displayed license plate and no plate lights. When officers attempted a traffic stop near the intersection of Calumet Avenue and Eaton Street, the vehicle initially stopped before suddenly accelerating and fleeing northbound at a high rate of speed.
Court documents state the pursuit continued through multiple Hammond streets before crossing the Indiana/Illinois state line. The vehicle then traveled through Illinois roadways and ultimately entered Interstate 94 toward Chicago. A rolling roadblock involving multiple agencies was used to safely bring the vehicle to a stop near Dolton Avenue.
Once stopped, Garcia allegedly refused to comply with commands to exit the vehicle. Officers opened the driver-side door and forcefully removed him from the vehicle. While on the ground, Garcia continued to resist by refusing to place his hands behind his back, and officers used the minimum amount of force necessary to take him into custody.
After being detained, Garcia told officers he fled because he knew his driver’s license was not valid. A records check confirmed his license was suspended out of Illinois, and the vehicle was also found to be suspended due to a mandatory insurance violation.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located a black bag containing a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana, a THC vape pen, and three sealed packages of THC gummies totaling approximately 600 milligrams. A Ruger Security-9 9mm semi-automatic handgun was also recovered from the center console.
During the investigation, authorities were notified that items had been thrown from the vehicle during the pursuit. Officers later located a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance in the area of Hohman Avenue and Fayette Street in Hammond. The substance field-tested positive for cocaine and weighed approximately 8.9 grams. Dash camera footage reportedly showed the bag being thrown from the passenger-side window of the fleeing vehicle.
A female passenger was detained at the scene and later released after being found to have no outstanding warrants.
Garcia was transported to the Cook County Jail and booked without incident. The vehicle was towed from the scene, and all evidence was collected and logged.
Charges filed March 26,2026:
• Possession of Cocaine (5–10 grams, Enhancing Circumstance) – Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Cocaine (5–10 grams) – Level 5 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
