(La Porte, IN) - It’s almost like he was doing police a favor. A fleeing fugitive led officers on a lengthy car chase that ended at the back door of the La Porte County Jail.
It started just after 2:00 a.m. Friday morning with an attempted routine traffic stop on US 20 west of Fail Road. The speeding vehicle refused to stop, and Deputy Matthew Disbrow pursued. The chase went westbound along 20, including a detour along Wilhelm and Springville Roads. The vehicle eventually turned westbound on I-94. For various reason, police say, Disbrow slowed his pursuit and followed at a safe distance.
The fleeing vehicle soon made a U-turn, heading back toward La Porte, and police resumed the chase. At the intersection of US 35 and Johnson Road, the vehicle struck a set of tire deflation devices that had been deployed by La Porte City police officers.
The vehicle exited Pine Lake Avenue onto Perry Street, where it crashed into Norfolk Southern Railroad Tracks. The driver, later identified as 31-year-old Christopher Rodriguez of Rensselaer, fled east on foot along the tracks. Rodriguez approached a door of the La Porte County Jail and attempted to get in, when a Michigan City police officer and his K-9 companion apprehended him.
Rodriguez was treated for a dog bite and was escorted back to jail. He currently faces the following charges:
• Possession of Methamphetamine, L4 Felony
• Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun, L5 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement, L6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement, A-Misdemeanor
• Aggressive Driving, A-Misdemeanor
Rodrigues is being held on a $20,005 cash-only bond through La Porte Circuit Court.
