Michigan City police K9 assists in suspect's arrest following high speed pursuit on I-94

Porter County Jail: Joshua Centeno

LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- A 33-year-old Chicago man is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges following a multi-county high speed police pursuit on I-94.

A trooper with the Indiana State Police was conducting speed enforcement around 12:05 a.m., Saturday, on I-94 near the Burns Harbor exit when the report states a Mercedes SUV was observed traveling 90 miles per hour.

Police say the trooper then initiated a traffic stop, at which point the suspect SUV came to a stop before fleeing the scene at speeds up to 130 miles per hour.

The report states that's when the suspect entered an active construction zone at mile-marker 29 mile-marker, three miles east of the Chesterton exit, and continued through mile-marker 39, where workers were present.

After exiting the construction zone, police say the suspect vehicle suffered a front right tire blowout before attempting to exit at mile-marker 40 onto US 20.

The trooper then successfully executed the PIT maneuver, bringing the suspect vehicle to a stop.

The suspect driver, later identified as Joshua Centeno, then fled the scene on foot. The report states a Michigan City Police Department K9 unit then assisted in apprehending Centeno.

Police say Centeno sustained a K9 bite as well as a knee injury while fleeing. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The report states a subsequent search of the SUV revealed marijuana.

The investigation also found that Centeno had no valid driver’s license and was wanted on an active felony warrant in Lake County.

Centeno was taken to the Porter County Jail where he was preliminarily charged with, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Prior Conviction, a Level 4 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle - Creating Substantial Risk of Injury, a Level 5 Felony, Reckless Driving in a Highway Worksite (Workers Present) - Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Recklessness - Class A Misdemeanor, False Government Issued Identification - Class A Misdemeanor, Criminal Mischief - Class B Misdemeanor, Possession of Marijuana - Class B Misdemeanor, and Reckless Driving - Class C Misdemeanor

Centeno's active warrant was for Possession of Cocaine, a Level 6 Felony, and False Identity Statements - Class A Misdemeanor.

Final charges will be decided by the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office.

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