St. John Police Catch Stolen Dodge Wednesday
On Wednesday evening around 11:10 PM, St. John Police observed a Dodge Charger Scatpack traveling westbound on 109th ave near Olcott.
The vehicle caught the officer’s attention when it crossed the double yellow line, Police told RNS. St. John Police followed the vehicle, checking the Florida registration plate which came back registered to a gray Toyota.
A traffic stop was initiated as the vehicle traveled southbound on Wicker Ave (US 41). The vehicle initially stopped and then took off southbound at a high rate of speed.
St. John Police pursued the vehicle eastbound on 119th Ave. Assisting officers, anticipating that the vehicle might be headed to Illinois, set up tire deflation devices at 109th and Calumet which the suspect vehicle struck. The pursuit continued on Exchange St. into Illinois, and eventually northbound on 394.
As the pursuit continued north on 394, officers could tell that the vehicle was shedding pieces of the deflated tires and the driver was having a difficult time steering and maintaining speed. The suspect vehicle lost control about a half-mile south of 80/94 and drove off of the roadway on the east side coming to a stop in a wooded area.
The male driver ran into the woods and was apprehended a short time later when he was located hiding in a camper that was in the woods by Lake County Sheriff K9 Jax. Two male passengers who remained in the vehicle were also taken into custody and later released.
On further investigation, the vehicle was found to be stolen from Hoffman Estates, Illinois. The driver was taken to the Lake County Jail on numerous traffic charges and resisting law enforcement and PC auto theft.
The vehicle was towed to the St. John Police Department for processing. Lake County Sheriff’s officers along with Illinois State Police Assisted.
