Gary Man Charged Again After High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Rollover
Lake County- A Gary man faces new felony charges after police say he led officers on a high-speed pursuit through Gary before crashing on October 1, 2025.
According to a probable cause affidavit, around 1:17 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s officers were notified that Highland Police had pursued a gray Mazda CX9 before terminating the chase. The vehicle was last seen traveling eastbound on I-80/94 from the Kennedy exit.
Deputies positioned near Grant Street observed the Mazda exit at a high rate of speed. Officers activated their emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued through a red light and accelerated northbound on Grant Street, reaching speeds of nearly 90 mph in a 30 mph zone.
The vehicle fled onto 21st Avenue, then Harrison Street, and continued through multiple stop signs and traffic signals. The affidavit states the Mazda struck a curb and sidewalk before correcting back onto the roadway, eventually traveling through neighborhood streets including Polk Place, 25th Avenue, Fillmore Street, and 23rd Avenue.
At the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Pierce Street, officers used a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) to end the pursuit. The Mazda rolled over and came to a stop.
The driver, identified as James Joseph Jr., 53, of Gary, was taken into custody. A passenger, Terrence Bradshaw, 39, was also taken into custody after police confirmed he had an active warrant out of Lake County.
The affidavit further notes the vehicle was linked to a theft from the Exxon Gas Station on Kennedy Avenue in Highland earlier that morning.
Joseph was transported to Methodist Northlake Hospital for treatment. Court records show Joseph was previously convicted of Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle in 2022 in Lake County.
Charges filed against Joseph on October 2,2025 :
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 5 Felony (prior conviction of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle)
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 5 Felony (operating a vehicle in a manner creating substantial risk of injury)
Joseph was lodged in the Lake County Jail on October 3, 2025.
Bradshaw was lodged in the Lake County Jail on October 1,2025
Pending Cases for James Joseph Jr.
Filed: August 2, 2025
Charges:
• Theft – Level 6 Felony (defendant has a prior conviction for either theft or conversion)
• Theft – A Misdemeanor
Filed: June 17, 2025
Charges:
• Theft – Level 6 Felony (defendant has a prior conviction for either theft or conversion)
Filed: June 13, 2025
Charges:
• Theft – Level 6 Felony (defendant has a prior conviction for either theft or conversion)
• Theft – A Misdemeanor
Filed: May 23, 2025
Charges:
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 5 Felony (defendant has a prior conviction)
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony (defendant used a vehicle)
• Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony (defendant operated a vehicle)
Filed: December 28, 2023
Charges:
• Theft – Level 6 Felony (defendant has a prior conviction for either theft or conversion)
• Theft – A Misdemeanor
