Stolen vehicle suspect in custody following pursuit on I-94

NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- At approximately 10:13 a.m. on Mar. 5, information was received by the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center regarding a pursuit.

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and Hobart Police Department were in pursuit of a Silver Ford Taurus heading eastbound on I-94.

The pursuit ended at the state-line on I-94.

As authorities exited the Exit 1 ramp in New Buffalo Township to turnaround, they discovered the alleged suspect’s vehicle had crashed into a McDonald’s sign post.

Officials obtained information that the suspect had fled from the scene of the crash on foot and had possibly gotten a ride from a pick-up truck, according to a press release.

New Buffalo Township authorities were dispatched with surrounding police agencies to locate the suspect.

A short while later, a sergeant with the Grand Beach Police Department discovered the suspect at the corner of Clay Street and Whittaker Street within a New Buffalo car wash.

The suspect in the alleged vehicle theft, 33-year-old Mark Jenkins of Blue Island, Illinois, was transported by New Buffalo Township authorities and lodged at the Berrien County Jail.

Jenkins is facing charges of Failure to Stop and Motor Vehicle Accident, No Operators License, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Stolen Property.

The Hobart Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, New Buffalo Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Grand Beach Police Department and Pokagon Tribal Police Department assisted in the investigation.