Pursuit & Arrests On The State Line Of 80/94
Around 11 AM, Monday, May 2, 2022 police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department observed an occupant in a grey Ford Fusion throw a bottle out of the vehicle near 25th & Grant Street in Gary, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr.
Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled; entering I-80/94 westbound at Grant Street.
Officers attempted a maneuver to box the fleeing vehicle in and reduce its speed, but the car collided with a civilian vehicle and a police patrol SUV, Martinez stated. The suspect vehicle came to a stop just across the Illinois state line. There was no injuries to the civilians reported. Officers observed the driver throw a firearm over the barrier wall near the roadway. The driver then ran eastbound from the scene. The passenger, who was also armed, remained inside the vehicle.
The 22-year-old driver and the 21-year-old passenger were taken into custody a short time later and transported to an area hospital to be medically cleared. “They are brothers who reside in Robbins, Illinois,” Martinez added. Investigators determined the car was registered to their mother.
Two loaded handguns were recovered from the scene. Criminal charges are pending with the Lake County Prosecutor.
“I am so proud of the work of all of the officers who helped to make these arrests safely and quickly,” Martinez said. “The two officers who initially observed the vehicle work for our sex offender registry and were doing routine checks at the time. Their attention to detail and willingness to follow through when they saw a violation helped to make our streets safer today,” Martinez added.
