Two Charged in Gary Vehicle Theft and Police Chase Ending in RailCats Stadium Crash
Two young adults from Illinois and Indiana have been charged in Lake County after allegedly fleeing from law enforcement in a stolen vehicle and crashing near the RailCats stadium in Gary.
The charges stem from a June 9th incident. According to a probable cause affidavit, a Lake County Sheriff’s officer observed a white Hyundai Sonata around 3 a.m. on I-80. The vehicle had been reported stolen from a Gary residence the day before. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle allegedly fled.
After exiting I-80 at Grant Street, the driver reportedly began running red lights and speeding through residential streets. The pursuit ended when the car crashed into a brick facade on the Railcats stadium, rendering the vehicle inoperable.
Three individuals ran from the vehicle, and both Marcus Noah Morris Jr. and Anaka Latrese Kight-Steward were taken into custody after foot pursuits. Police allege Kight-Steward struck an officer during the arrest and briefly escaped custody before being found hiding under a nearby vehicle.
Officers recovered a handgun with an extended magazine, a vehicle key programming device, and the vehicle owner’s wallet. The Hyundai’s steering column had also been damaged. The vehicle owner told police she did not know either suspect and had not given permission for anyone to take the car.
Charges Filed:
Marcus Noah Morris Jr.
- Auto Theft, Level 6 felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle, Level 6 felony
Anaka Latrese Kight-Steward
- Auto Theft, Level 6 felony
- Battery Against a Public Safety Official, Level 6 felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement (force), Class A misdemeanor
Both defendants are currently lodged in the Lake County Jail.
This case remains under investigation and further charges may be pending.
