(La Porte, IN) - A La Porte man once captured in Michigan during a chase is in trouble again on allegations of fleeing law enforcement.
Travis Hatchel, 38, is accused of fleeing in his vehicle from a traffic stop on August 8 at 10th and J streets in LaPorte.
LaPorte Police said he disregarded stop signs and drove left of center throughout the motor vehicle pursuit, which ended several minutes later in the 1300 block of Federal Ave.
He bailed out of the vehicle but left the automatic transmission in drive, causing the unoccupied car to travel into and damage a fence, police said. Eventually, police said Hatchel was taken into custody during a foot pursuit.
According to court records, Hatchel served 129 days in the La Porte County Jail for a chase stemming from an attempted traffic stop in March of 2021 from the Michigan City area.
The LaPorte man crossed into Michigan and ventured down several roads near Three Oaks before veering into a field north of U.S. 12 and west of Hampton Road near Galien, police said.
Officers were still behind him when his vehicle cutting across the field began slowing down in the soft soil. Police said Hatchel placed the car in reverse and backed into a police vehicle then fled on foot.
He was chased through a water filled ditch until taken to the ground by a K9 dog. Police said Hatchel was fighting with the dog when grabbed by officers, who took him away in handcuffs.
Court records show Hatchel was wanted on several outstanding warrants in LaPorte County at the time for allegedly leading officers on a previous chase and fleeing a motor vehicle crash in 2017. He also has prior convictions for crimes like possession of methamphetamine, burglary and resisting law enforcement.
Hatchel was being held in the LaPorte County Jail on $15,000 bond on charges that include resisting law enforcement, which was elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony due to his prior history of leading police on pursuits.
