South Bend man arrested on felonies following police pursuit in stolen truck

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. -- The Indiana State Police report a trooper patrolling U.S. 20 near S.R. 49 on Saturday around 1:15 p.m. located a white 2022 Dodge Ram that had been reported as stolen.

The trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop near S.R. 149 in Burns Harbor when the driver refused to stop. Police say that's when a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit continued east on U.S. 20 when the vehicle turned onto C.R. 1400 North where the vehicle stopped.

The driver, later identified as 41-year-old Benjamin K. Vanvynckt of South Bend, exited the truck and ran into a wooded area.

Troopers were able to chase the suspect into the woods where he was taken into custody.

Vanvynckt was taken to the Porter County Jail.

He is preliminarily charged with Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, a Level 6 Felony, Habitual Traffic Violator, a Level 6 Felony, Unauthorized Control of a Motor Vehicle, a Level 6 Felony, and Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

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