Vehicle Pursuit Ends With Multiple Charges
Early Wednesday morning (06/17/20) at approximately 1:26 AM, Deputy Dan Kesling was dispatched to the area of US 20 and US 35, reference a road rage incident. A female reported that a white pickup truck was attempting to force her vehicle off the roadway while traveling along I-94. Deputy Kesling observed a pickup truck matching the description exit I-94 onto US 20 and begin to travel eastbound at an excessive rate of speed.
Deputy Kesling began to travel eastbound on US 20 behind the pickup truck. He attempted to initiate a traffic stop however, the pickup truck failed to stop and a motor vehicle pursuit ensued. The vehicle pursuit continued eastbound along US 20 to the “dogbone” interchange. The pickup truck exited at the interchange and began to travel west on SR 2. Near the intersection of SR 2 and CR 150 East, Deputy Keith Waltz set up a set of tire deflation devices. The pickup truck ran over the tire deflation devices and began to quickly slow down while passing through the Fail Road intersection.
At approximately 1:37 AM, the pickup truck slowed to a stop on SR 2 near Whitehead Road. For several minutes, deputies gave loud verbal commands for the driver to exit the pickup truck. However, the driver refused and failed to comply. Therefore, a chemical agent was introduced into interior of the pickup truck. Shortly thereafter, the driver exited and was taken into custody.
The driver identified himself as Paco LIBRA (40 YOA). LIBRA was transported to the La Porte County Jail (LCJ). He was arrested for the following offenses:
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
- Criminal Recklessness, Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A-Misdemeanor
- Operating While Never Licensed, C-Misdemeanor
LIBRA remains housed in the LCJ and is being held on a $755.00 cash bond through La Porte County Circuit Court.
Assisting: Captain Andy Hynek, Sergeant James D. Arnold, Deputy William Masterson, La Porte Police Department and La Porte County EMS.
Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
UPDATE – Late this morning, Deputy Dan Kesling learned the driver from today’s motor vehicle pursuit provided a false name.The driver has now been positively identified as Jose ZAVALA (38 YOA). It was also learned that ZAVALA was a wanted person by authorities in Wheeling, Illinois. A nationwide domestic battery warrant had previously been issued for ZAVALA’S arrest. In addition to the other charges, Deputy Kesling will now be charging ZAVALA with the offense of False Identity Statement, a Class A-Misdemeanor.
