East Chicago, IN – A reckless-driving report escalated into a pursuit and crash Thursday afternoon after East Chicago Police tried stopping a stolen vehicle in the Marktown District. The incident began around 12:25 p.m., according to police.
Officers were dispatched after a caller reported a black sedan with lightning-bolt graphics speeding through residential streets and doing donuts at intersections. Police quickly located the vehicle, which had no registration plate. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver allegedly sped away, leading them into the North Harbor District.
According to East Chicago Police, the pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle crashed into another car at Columbus Drive and Alder Street — directly beside the East Chicago Police Station. Officers took the driver into custody after a brief struggle.
During the arrest, one officer suffered a right-hand injury and was taken to St. Catherine Hospital for treatment. Police said the suspect was also transported to the hospital for evaluation. The driver struck by the fleeing vehicle was not injured and declined medical treatment.
Dispatch later notified officers that the fleeing vehicle had been reported stolen out of Lansing, Illinois, and may be tied to a carjacking investigation in that jurisdiction, police said.
The suspect remains in custody and faces multiple charges in Indiana, with potential additional charges pending in Illinois as investigators continue to coordinate across state lines.
Further updates are expected as the investigation develops.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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