PORTER CO. – On Friday, September 23, at approximately 4:50 p.m., Trooper Baumeister was patrolling the I-94 westbound lanes near the Portage exit, when he observed a red Chevrolet Camaro aggressively driving. The driver was unsafely weaving in and out of traffic as well as speeding.
Trp. Baumeister attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver drove onto the shoulder and accelerated away from the trooper. A pursuit was initiated as the vehicle continued to drive westbound on I-94 at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the Camaro at the 14.1-mile marker, striking a guardrail before hitting another vehicle.
The Camaro briefly pulled over while the second vehicle, a 2022 Dodge Charger, was disabled in the westbound lanes. Trp. Baumeister attempted to apprehend the driver of the Camaro; however, the driver quickly drove away from the crash scene, dragging the rear bumper of the Camaro. Trp. Baumeister remained at the scene of the crash to administer first aid to the occupants of the Dodge Charger while relaying information to other troopers of the fleeing vehicle.
The Camaro was observed exiting I-94 and traveling northbound on Broadway into Gary. Trooper Chagolla along with officers from the Gary Police Department located the vehicle in an alley near 11th Avenue. A male subject was seen exiting the vehicle and running away from the area.
Trp. Chagolla then gave chase as the suspect led the officers on a foot pursuit through several yards and alleys. Trp. Chagolla eventually caught up with the suspect and ordered the suspect to stop. The suspect refused and was told if he didn’t stop, a taser would be deployed. The suspect continued to run and Trp. Chagolla discharged his taser, successfully incapacitating the suspect. The suspect was then placed into handcuffs and was checked by paramedics for injuries. Once medically cleared, the suspect was transported to the Porter County Jail for processing.
The suspect, Marcellous Thomas Woods Jr., 21, of Crown Point, IN, was arrested on preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, resisting arrest, leaving the scene of an injury accident, operating a vehicle without ever receiving a license, and reckless driving.
The three occupants of the Dodge Charger were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Assisting at the scene were the following: Gary Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, WAFFCO Towing, Lake Station Fire Dept., and Gary Fire/EMS.
All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless proven guilty in court. Charges mentioned are accusations, final charges will be determined by the Porter and/or Lake County Prosecutor’s Offices.
