Indianapolis Man Arrested After Chase That Closed I-65
Friday morning at 11:45 a.m., the Lowell Regional Dispatch Center began to receive calls of an erratic driver on I-65 northbound near the 215 mile-marker, according to Sgt. Glen Fifield of The Indiana State Police.
The vehicle, a white 2004 Toyota Camry, was reported to be weaving, merging unsafely in front of other vehicles, braking when not necessary, driving down the middle of the two-lane divided roadway as well as almost stopping in traffic. Troopers located the vehicle near the 225 mile-marker and after observing several traffic violations, they were able to make a traffic stop. The driver voluntarily pulled over in the median and a “routine” traffic stop took place. During this initial interaction with the troopers, the driver refused to identify himself. The driver was asked to exit the vehicle however he continued to refuse to identify himself and refused to exit the vehicle. The driver was making erratic and threatening statements towards the officers, Fifield said. As the troopers opened the driver’s side door, he placed the car into drive and fled from the traffic stop.
A pursuit was initiated with the vehicle traveling north on I-65 at a high rate of speed. The ramps to I-65 were shut down as a safety precaution as stop sticks were deployed by several agencies. The vehicle struck two separate sets of stop sticks which successfully deflated a tire. As the pursuit continued north near the 248 mile-marker, a Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled in front of the vehicle, attempting to slow the Toyota. The suspect accelerated and rammed the rear of the police car, Fifield stated. A second Lake County police vehicle was also struck by the Toyota. The suspect then stopped his car near exit 249 (109th Ave.) and fled on foot. The suspect ran into a ditch where there were several large rocks. He began to throw the rocks at the officers. At that time non-lethal force was attempted to subdue the suspect, however it was ineffective. A Crown Point K9 was deployed as the suspect continued to resist arrest. The suspect was then taken into custody.
After being medically cleared, the suspect was transported to the Lake County Jail for processing. He has been identified as Mohammed O. Elobaid, 29, from Indianapolis, IN.
He is preliminarily being held on the following charges in Lake County:
- Battery with Deadly Weapon- Level 5 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement with Vehicle- Level 6 Felony
- Battery Against Public Safety Official- Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement- Class A Misdemeanor.
- Reckless Driving- Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class B Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle Never Licensed- Class A Misdemeanor
Additional charges to be filed in Jasper County, Fifield added.
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.
