Lake County, Ind. — Two suspects were arrested after separate police pursuits tied to drug investigations and crashes across northwest Indiana and Chicago.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the first incident began just before 1 p.m. when a sheriff’s highway interdiction unit attempted to stop an SUV on the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) for multiple traffic violations.
Authorities said the driver allegedly refused to stop and continued westbound into Chicago’s South Side. The pursuit ended near 63rd Place and South Lowe Avenue, where the vehicle reportedly entered a dead-end street.
Investigators say the driver allegedly reversed the SUV into a Lake County patrol vehicle, trapping an officer inside. The officer was evaluated at a hospital and later released.
Two male suspects then allegedly fled on foot but were taken into custody by police officers. Officials said the SUV was “fully loaded” with packages of marijuana and THC products, and charges are pending as investigators continue identifying the suspects.
In a separate incident, sheriff’s patrol units responding to the first pursuit spotted a reckless driver on westbound Interstate 80/94.
According to authorities, the driver allegedly fled when deputies attempted a traffic stop. The pursuit continued onto northbound Cline Avenue, where the suspect reportedly lost control and crashed near Cline Avenue and West 15th Avenue in Gary.
The driver, identified as 36-year-old Lewand Dixon of University Park, Illinois, allegedly fled on foot before officers took him into custody.
Sheriff’s officials said Dixon faces multiple charges, including alleged cocaine possession and felony resisting arrest. Deputies reported recovering approximately 32 grams of suspected cocaine, a scale, and a large amount of cash.
Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. praised officers involved, saying their coordination helped remove dangerous narcotics from local streets.
The incidents may also affect regional commuters and younger workers traveling along the busy I-80/94 and Toll Road corridors, where police activity can cause sudden delays.
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