Suspect That Hit Chicago Officer Captured After Indiana Chase
Shortly after 7 PM, Thursday, police officers with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department responded to an alert about the driver of a stolen Volkswagen on 80/94. The driver fled a traffic stop conducted by officers of the Chicago Police Department just before the initial pursuit near 83rd & Cottage Grove. The suspects vehicle struck a Chicago police officer as the driver fled the scene. The driver exited in Calumet City during the pursuit where the suspect bailed on foot and then carjacked a Volkswagen.
A helicopter from Illinois tracked the driver heading east toward Indiana, where several Lake County Sheriff’s Department police officers positioned themselves to try to stop the vehicle. The Volkswagen exited at Grant Street in Gary, but accelerated at a high rate of speed; evading police. The fleeing vehicle reentered I-80/94 and headed back into Illinois.
At Cline Avenue it’s believed other agencies deployed stop sticks and slowed the Volkswagen. It struck a Lake County police officer’s patrol car twice during a roadblock attempt.
As the pursuit crossed near the state line you can see officers perform multiple PIT maneuvers on the suspect. As the pursuit approached Torrence Avenue, the driver of the Volkswagen lost control of the vehicle up the Torrence Ave embankment where the pursuit ended. The driver was placed into custody and later taken to a hospital for evaluation.
He was identified as a 22-year-old male from Illinois who has an active DuPage County warrant for battery, assault and obstruction.
The suspect is currently being held in the Lake County, Indiana jail pending additional criminal charges. The Lake County Auto Theft Unit is investigating. No further details will be released at this time.
