(La Porte County, IN) - The life of a police officer was at major risk during a two state high speed chase last week.

 

According to police, the chase on Thursday began on Michigan City’s east side when the driver of a stolen vehicle picked up by a license plate reading camera refused to pull over.   Police said the pursuit veered onto U.S. 12 and east into New Buffalo then back to Indiana on Interstate 94.

At one point, police said an officer ran out into the highway to place stop sticks on the pavement in hopes of flattening the oncoming fleeing vehicle’s tires.  However, police said the officer fell and was on the pavement when the fleeing driver and other motorists safely veered around the officer.

 

Soon, police said the fleeing driver, Alejandro Diaz of Chicago stopped and surrendered, telling officers he didn’t want anyone to get hurt. 

 

Police said Diaz, who is homeless with mental health issues, was taken into custody without further incident.