(La Porte, IN) - The first of two weekend police chases in La Porte started on East State Road 2 on Saturday morning.

 

An alert Sheriff’s deputy noticed a suspicious driver behind the wheel of a red Ford pickup. After briefly stopping for police near 150 East, the truck sped off westbound into La Porte. A chase through La Porte’s east side neighborhoods ended up on Pine Lake Avenue heading south. 

 

Near Waverly Road, La Porte City Police were able to take out the truck’s tires. The chase continued, however, through more downtown neighborhoods, until the driver ditched the truck on Rumely St.   After a foot chase, he was captured a few blocks north of Patton Cemetery.

 

The suspect, 35-year-old Travis Hatchel of South Bend was taken into custody.  A female who fled the truck early in the chase was detained, but not arrested. 

 

Hatchel faces two felony charges, including Possession of Methamphetamine, as well as three misdemeanors. He is being held without bond at the La Porte County Jail.