Update On Stolen Cars From Demotte Dealership
On January 30th 2021, at approximately 4:18 AM the Demotte Police Department received information pertaining to a theft in progress of vehicles at the Fieldhouse Car Dealership in Demotte, according to Demotte Police Chief Thomas Jarrette.
Upon arrival of Demotte & Jasper County officers five vehicles fled the scene. Three of the vehicles were stolen from the dealership & the other two were the suspects’ vehicles. The vehicles being Charger’s and Trailhawks according to witnesses. The officers pursued NB on I-65 into Lake County, Jarrette said. Numerous departments in Lake County, as well as an air unit, & the Indiana State Police joined the pursuit resulting in three stolen vehicles being abandoned as well as one of the suspect vehicles which was also stolen out of Chicago. A Lake County officer patrolling the area of Interstate 65 and US-231 joined the pursuit when he observed several vehicles traveling at speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour, Sheriff Oscar Martinez said. The second suspect vehicle was not located.
Officers located three suspects on foot, in various locations & they were taken into custody. The officers endured extremely cold temperatures in a densely wooded area while searching. In the 6700 block of Colorado, officers apprehended the male who fled from the car. All vehicles were taken to Lake County Sheriff’s Department where they will be processed. Crown Point Officers also searched till nearly 9 AM for additional suspects in the wooded areas utilizing K9’s.
In addition to evidence, firearms were located in some of the vehicles, upon completion of processing, the vehicles were returned to the dealership in Demotte. A scene technician from Indiana State Police also processed the scene at the dealership & video surveillance was recovered. In addition to the stolen vehicles, two other vehicles were damaged at the dealership. Demotte Police Department is working with the Vehicle Theft Division of the Lake County Sheriff’s Department to identify the other suspects.
Currently being held at Lake County Jail are Malik Redman, 21, of Chicago, Laroy Pollard, 23, of Indianapolis & a 17 year old male. Charges for Auto Theft are anticipated to be filed in Jasper County within the next few days. Others will be charged once identified, Jarrette stated.
“This pursuit happened just hours after another incident where a 31-year-old man led police on a high-speed chase and slammed into two police squad vehicles,” said Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. “That case ended with shots fired and police eventually apprehending the suspect at 25th & Broadway in Gary. At the time, we were involved in a countywide blitz aimed at helping to end the rise in carjackings and car thefts in the area.”
“I have been monitoring the spike in armed carjackings in the Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is committed to apprehending these dangerous suspects and bringing them to justice,” Sheriff Martinez said.
