Arthur Crosby, 38, of Richton Park, Illinois, is facing multiple felony charges after police say he attempted to cash a fraudulent check at a Valparaiso bank before leading officers on a pursuit through Porter and Lake counties that allegedly reached speeds of 130 mph.  

According to court documents, Valparaiso Police were dispatched around 5:10 p.m. on May 8 to Fifth Third Bank, located at 56 Washington Street, for a report of a black male in the middle lane of the drive-thru inside a gray SUV who was attempting to withdraw money from an account under a different person’s name. The reporting party stated the person was attempting to “commit fraud.”

When an officer arrived, the gray Audi EV Quattro began exiting the bank drive-thru. Police said the Audi pulled onto Washington Street, where the officer activated emergency lights. The Audi initially stopped in the left lane before allegedly accelerating away and initiating a pursuit.

Court documents allege the Audi disregarded a red light at Lincolnway, crossed double yellow lines while passing vehicles, turned the wrong way onto Franklin Street, and drove through multiple stop signs at high speeds. Police said the Audi reached more than 70 mph in a posted 25 mph zone and later traveled through the stop sign at Northview Drive, a school zone, at 74 mph.

The pursuit continued near Valparaiso High School, where police alleged the Audi reached more than 85 mph in a posted 30 mph zone while passing a vehicle in the middle turn lane. Officers said the Audi later reached more than 95 mph on Campbell Street while weaving across the center line to pass vehicles.

According to the affidavit, the Audi then turned onto U.S. 6, reached more than 100 mph in a posted 50 mph zone, and later accelerated to more than 125 mph on State Road 49 in a posted 55 mph zone. Police said the vehicle passed cars partially in the grass median and narrowly avoided a collision near Gateway Boulevard.

The Audi then entered the Indiana Toll Road, where officers said it became stopped at a toll booth. Police ordered the driver to put his hands out of the vehicle, but the driver allegedly refused and fled once traffic cleared. Court documents state the Audi again reached high speeds on Interstate 80/90, weaving through traffic and passing vehicles on the shoulder.

At the Portage Toll Booth, police said the Audi again became stuck in traffic. Officers ordered the driver and passenger to exit, but investigators allege neither complied. Once traffic was cleared by Toll Road staff, the Audi allegedly fled again westbound on Interstate 80/90, reaching speeds between 110 and 125 mph before later reaching 130 mph.

Indiana State Police and Lake County Sheriff’s deputies joined the pursuit near the Broadway exit. The Audi eventually slowed, and a State Police trooper got in front of the vehicle before it stopped just past the Grant Street exit.

Police said Crosby was identified as the driver by his Illinois driver’s license. Investigators alleged his Illinois driving privileges were suspended. Officers also alleged Crosby actively resisted commands while being taken into custody.

According to court documents, the passenger had multiple Illinois identification cards with different names. Police further alleged Crosby had provided a false Illinois identification card at Fifth Third Bank in an attempt to cash a $2,500 check.

Charges filed May 11,2026:

Fraud on a Financial Institution, a Level 5 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement Creating Substantial Risk of Injury, a Level 5 Felony

Forgery, a Level 6 Felony

Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle, a Level 6 Felony

Aggressive Driving, a Class A Misdemeanor

Criminal Recklessness, a Class B Misdemeanor

False Government Identification, a Class A Misdemeanor

Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor

Reckless Driving, a Class C Misdemeanor

Reckless Driving, a Class C Misdemeanor