Driver Fled St John Traffic Stop Leading Police To Griffith
On Saturday, August 6, 2022 at about 3:45 AM, St. John Police Officers observed a vehicle traveling northbound on US 41 at a high rate of speed. Radar showed that the vehicle was going 64 mph in a 35 mph speed zone, according to St. John Police.
Officers initiated a traffic stop at US 41 and Wall St. As the officer approached the vehicle, the vehicle quickly accelerated and a pursuit was initiated.
St. John officers continued pursuing the white Mercedes SUV through Schererville and into Highland at speeds well over 100 mph, police told RNS.
The suspect turned east on 45th Ave. and headed into Griffith. Lake County Sheriff’s Police and Griffith Police were waiting in the area with stopsticks.
The suspect vehicle turned south on Colfax Ave. where officers momentarily lost sight of the vehicle. Lake County officers located the suspect vehicle once again on Elm St. in Griffith. A female passenger was still in the vehicle and the driver had fled on foot, headed southbound through back yards, police said. The female who was cooperative provided officers with the identity of her boyfriend / driver.
St. John K-9 Storm and his handler began to track the suspect, assisted by Lake County K-9 units in the immediate area.
Cedar Lake and Griffith officers arrived on scene and launched night vision drones, spotting the suspect hiding in a wooded area.
The suspect was then apprehended by a Lake County K-9. The suspect suffered a minor K-9 bite on his leg but refused medical treatment.
The suspect was transported to the Lake County Jail on preliminary charges of Resisting Law Enforcement (felony), Reckless Driving, False Informing (providing false identity), and numerous traffic citations.
The suspect’s name will not be released until he is formally charged through The Lake County Prosecutors Office.
St John Police thanked all of the assisting agencies, Lake County Police, Cedar Lake Police, and Griffith Police, who seamlessly worked together in bringing this to an end.
