Lake County Auto Theft Task Force Weekend Nets Multiple Stolen Cars
The Lake County Auto Theft Task Force and High Crime Unit took part in an auto theft and carjacking sweep on Friday, April 9, and on Saturday, April 10, 2021, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. The following agencies took part in the operation: Lake County Sheriff, St John, Dyer, Merrillville, Hammond, East Chicago, Whiting, and Indiana State Police. For those that heard the helicopter over the weekend Lake County Sheriff Aviation also participated as air support along with The Chicago Police helicopter. The sweep also worked in conjunction with the Chicago Police Carjacking Unit in Illinois, Martinez told RNS.
Also participating over the weekend on the streets were a couple of local Police Chiefs Two of which were St. John Police Chief Steve Flores and Dyer Police Chief David Hein.
“It’s a great partnership with all the agencies working together and it definitely is having a positive impact on crime,” Flores said. “The big difference I am seeing is that being proactive catching all the stolen cars and wanted individuals before they have an opportunity to victimize our citizens,” Hein told RNS. “We must also balance safety and due regard for the public during our attempts to apprehend the suspects, it’s a tough job and only getting tougher,” Hein added.
Some of the highlights taken from the two-day sweep were the following:
1. The Highland Police Department had four documented Traffic Offenses.
2. Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives had four vehicle pursuits. The pursuits involved two stolen vehicles that were recovered. Four total arrests were made.
3. Griffith Police recovered a stolen Maserati. The vehicle was stolen through Chicago. Charges are pending on a subject.
Further details on the pursuit videos RNS posted through the weekend and details on stolen car recoveries made over the weekend are below.
Friday, April 9, 2021
On April 9, Lake County Auto Theft Task Force Detectives ran a license plate near 21st Avenue and Broadway in Gary, IN. The plate came back to a stolen Kia. Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but a pursuit ensued. The pursuit came to an end at Clark and Ridge Road in Gary, IN. Two males were arrested. Charges have been filed through the Lake County Prosecutors Office.
On April 9, Lake County Detectives conducted a traffic stop on a Jaguar on Westbound 80/94 near Indianapolis Blvd. A pursuit ensued, and the driver fled from the traffic stop into Illinois. The pursuit was terminated without apprehension. Charges were filed on the driver through the Lake County Prosecutors Office.
On April 9, Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives assisted the Highland Police Department with a traffic stop at Michigan Street and Hohman Avenue on a Dodge Charger. The vehicle fled from the traffic stop, although Highland Police have a no pursuit policy. Lake County Detectives gave chase. Detectives initiated a rolling roadblock, and the vehicle was stopped off Michigan City Road in Calumet City, IL. The driver was taken into custody, and charges were filed through the Lake County Prosecutors Office.
Saturday, April 10, 2021
On April 10, Hammond Police alerted Detectives an LPR camera hit of a stolen Volkswagen Beetle coming into Hammond, Indiana, from Illinois. Lake County High Crime Units were in the area and observed the blue Volkswagen and a traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle. The driver had an outstanding warrant and was arrested. The vehicle was confirmed stolen. Charges for Auto Theft have been accepted through the Lake County Prosecutors Office.
On April 10, Lake County High Crime Detectives attempted to make a traffic stop on State Line Avenue and Doty Street. The vehicle fled into Illinois and crashed at an apartment complex in Dolton, IL. The driver was arrested after fleeing on foot and taken in for an active warrant. Charges were filed with the Lake County Prosecutors Office; this suspect had unrelated active Lake County, IN. arrest warrants and the extradition process for the auto theft charges are pending.
