Multiple Businesses Burglarized Overnight Leading To Police Pursuits
The Valparaiso Police responded to an active alarm at approximately 4:20 a.m. Sunday morning, at Family Express, located at 1612 Lincolnway, according to Sgt. E.J. Hall of the Valparaiso Police. Upon arrival, police observed several areas of broken glass and a confirmed forced entry point into the business, noting that it appeared several items of product and store equipment were missing. While on scene, a second alarm was activated at Family Express, located at 1251 Morthland. This alarm indicated that staff was on scene. Police arrived at this location, which also had multiple areas of broken glass, Hall stated. It was confirmed with the employee the store had been broken into while he was inside, and the suspects had fled after realizing personnel was there.
The immediate area and travel patterns away from the business were checked for suspects, which included checking westbound U.S. HWY 30. While doing so, officers observed suspects coming out of Lucky Stop, a convenience store located at 526 U.S. HWY 30, which had been burglarized, Hall said. It was believed these suspects were involved in the activity in Valparaiso as well. At this time, the vehicles fled the area, initiating a vehicle pursuit of each. Each vehicle pursuit traveled west, with one proceeding into Posen, Illinois, where it crashed into a curb. The sole occupant of the vehicle then briefly fled on foot before being apprehended. The subject was identified as Raquan Lewis (19), of Markham, IL. Once taken into custody, Lewis was transported to Porter County Jail on charges of Burglary, Resisting Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, and Criminal Recklessness with a Motor Vehicle.
The investigation remains ongoing at this time.
The second vehicle pursuit was terminated in the area of the Mile Marker 5 on Intestate 294 in Illinois.
Contributing agencies included Porter County, Lake County, Ogden Dunes, Portage, and various Illinois jurisdictions.
FYI, it’s Morthland, not Northland.
From Valparaiso, In. to Posen, Il. Thats a distance of 42 miles. Nice job Valpo P. D. and thank you for your service. I can imagine Raquan’s sphincter muscle tighten up as he realized the cops were not giving up. I really hope these criminals from Crook County, Illinois start to realize Lake County law enforcement agencies mean business.