Stolen vehicle chase closes parts of U.S. 20 in La Porte Sunday

ABC 57

LA PORTE, Ind. -- A police chase in La Porte County had westbound lanes of U.S. 20 closed for scene security on Sunday morning and a two-hour negotiation ended with a suspect being taken into custody.

The La Porte County Sheriff's Office was advised of a stolen vehicle that was driving in La Porte city limits around 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 19. 

 The vehicle, a gray Buick Encore, had recently been reported as stolen to authorities in Porter County and La Porte County deputies initiated a "high-risk traffic stop" at the intersection of McClung Road and Park Street.

"After briefly stopping, the vehicle sped off resulting in a motor vehicle pursuit," the LCSO said. "The [pursuit] traveled north on C.R. 100 West, east on C.R. 450 North, south on Range Road, east on C.R. 400 North, and into a field."

Authorities say that the Buick continued to flee north through the field before making its way back on to Range Road where the pursuit continued north on Range Road and across all lanes of U.S. 20.

"The vehicle collided with a utility pole on the northeast corner of the intersection and came to a stop," the LCSO said.

That is when two deputies got out of their vehicles, and saw the driver display a weapon.

"The driver attempted to leave the scene, however, was unable to do so because of the disabling damage the vehicle had sustained in the crash," authorities said.

"Members of the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Hostage Crisis Negotiators were activated and responded to the scene," authorities said. "Negotiators communicated with the driver on and off for nearly two (2) hours before the subject was taken into custody."

The driver was identified as 36-year-old Derek E. Harrison, of La Porte, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Inside the Buick, authorities recovered a black BB gun resembling a Beretta handgun.

"The necessary paperwork will be forwarded to the La Porte County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges and possible issuance of an arrest warrant," authorities said.

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