Man Leads Police On Chase To Sharks Chicken In Calumet City
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, around 8 PM, a Lake County Sheriff Department Officer working a special Saturation Patrol in Gary attempted to stop a vehicle near 15th & Colfax in Gary for no license plates, according to court documents.
The vehicle pulled to the side of the road as if it was going to stop but instead made a U-turn, fleeing from the officer. The officer was able to make a visual on the driver who was described as a black male wearing a blue jacket as it drove away.
As police began pursuing the car it attempted to get on Cline Ave but lost control on the entrance to the ramp, side swiping another vehicle. The suspect regained control and continued to flee to the Illinois state line. Dozens of other officers working the Saturation Patrol including the Lake County Helicopter went to assist in the pursuit.
The suspect used the shoulder of 80/94 to flee while his vehicle kicked up debris. Officers backed off due to the dust being stirred up along with speed and allowed the helicopter to maintain a visual on the suspect vehicle. The driver exited on Sibley into Calumet City where he stopped his car on Clyde and ran on foot.
Multiple units began arriving in the area where the helicopter pilots informed them that the lone suspect ran into Sharks and now was wearing a white hoodie. Officers found two males in line in the store both wearing white hoodies. The two males said they were with each other and had no idea what was going on outside when questioned. Meanwhile officers near the suspect car found a blue jacket dumped on the ground. Inside the jacket was an ID card belonging to one of those individuals inside Sharks.
The suspect was apprehended and identified as Thomas Mason, 30, of Hammond. Mason was transported to Community in Munster to be evaluated since he was involved in a crash. While in the ambulance Mason asked, “Is running from the police a felony?”
Mason was charged with:
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle Level 6 Felony
2 Counts of Reckless Driving Causing Bodily Injury – Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Misdemeanor
Mason also currently has a pending case in Lake County for 3 felony counts of Dealing Cocaine in May of 2024.
(Video taken from inside Lake County Sheriff’s Department Jeep Trackhawk)
