UPDATE – East Chicago Police Chase Ending In Chicago
On, Saturday, January 16, 2021 at approximately 12:22 A.M. Officers responded to a call of loud music coming from a vehicle at 4924 Northcote Street, according to Deputy Chief Jose Rivera of The East Chicago Police.
Officers arrived on scene and located a blue 2016 Nissan Rogue plated out of Illinois at the location playing extremely loud music. Officer observed the driver door of the vehicle open and an African American male standing outside the vehicle, Rivera said.
Officer exited his squad car in full uniform and announced himself in order to get the males attention. The male frantically walked toward the driver’s door with both hands in his coat pockets. Officer advised the male to get his hands out his pocket and to not get inside the vehicle. The male then jogged toward the vehicle, reached in his waist band and pulled out an unknown black object which resembled a firearms pistol grip. The male then entered the vehicle, placed the vehicle in drive and intentionally drove the vehicle in Officers direction.
Officer quickly moved out the way to avoid being struck and the male then fled in reverse southbound in the alley. Officer advised dispatch of the situation and pursued the fleeing vehicle. The fleeing vehicle then intentionally rammed the passenger side of a responding officer’s squad car, which was parked in the alley almost striking the officer that was standing outside of the squad car. The Officer fired two shots at the fleeing vehicle striking the front passenger tire, causing the tire to deflate. The driver of the fleeing vehicle then placed the vehicle back into drive and fled the scene W/B on 150th. Officer pursued the vehicle into Hammond, Rivera said.
While pursuing the vehicle Officers were advised by dispatch that the vehicle was just reported stolen in East Chicago. The driver of the stolen vehicle struck pursuing Officers squad cars numerous times during the pursuit and intentionally tried to run officers off the road. Officers continued the pursuit and eventually ended the pursuit at 99th and Jeffery Street in the Jeffery Manor neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois due to the suspect’s vehicle having mechanical problems.
Chicago PD assisted East Chicago Officers due to our Officers crossing the Indiana / Illinois state line. The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and ignored officer’s commands. Chicago PD Negotiators and S.W.A.T team were called out to assist. After approximately two hours of negotiating with the suspect he exited the vehicle and was taken into custody by Chicago PD. The suspect was transported to the Area South Chicago Police Department located at 727 E. 111th Street.
Suspect was identified as 28 year old Alexander L. Dennis of Gary, Indiana. Chicago PD will be handling the criminal investigation for what occurred in the City of Chicago, Rivera added. The East Chicago Police Department Criminal Investigation Division will handle the filing of charges for what occurred in the State of Indiana.
The Chicago Police Department processed the scene and a handgun was recovered from the suspects’ vehicle. The suspect is facing numerous Felony charges in both states. The Chicago Police Departments Investigative Response Team will also be investigating the shots fired by EC officers in their city. This matter remains under investigation, Rivera said.
