LAKE COUNTY – For the second time in as many days, a high‑speed pursuit involving violent felons led Indiana State Police Troopers into Illinois before the suspects were apprehended. The Indiana State Police arrested two Hammond residents after a pursuit that began on I‑80 in Lake County and concluded on I‑94 in Illinois, following the suspects’ decision to ram a fully marked patrol vehicle during their attempt to flee.
At approximately 12:55 a.m., Detective Hamed was traveling westbound on I‑80 near the 4.2-mile marker (Kennedy Avenue) when he observed a gray Dodge sedan traveling at a high rate of speed in the far‑right lane. Using same‑direction moving radar, the vehicle’s speed was recorded at 92 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. When Detective Hamed attempted a traffic stop near the 3.4-mile marker, the driver accelerated sharply, initiating a pursuit.
Detective Hamed immediately notified ISP Region I Dispatch and continued the pursuit under clear weather, dry road conditions, and light traffic, with speeds exceeding 100 mph. The vehicle exited to Calumet Avenue before re-entering the interstate. Trooper Haddon joined the pursuit in a fully police vehicle, at which point the suspect vehicle intentionally rammed Trooper Haddon’s police car just west of Calumet Avenue.
The fleeing vehicle entered I‑294 and later I‑94 via exit 160, suffering a flat front‑passenger tire after the initial collision with the police car. The driver lost control near the 159th Street junction and briefly entered a ditch before reentering the roadway. Trooper Haddon successfully executed a PIT maneuver, disabling the vehicle.
ISP troopers conducted a high‑risk stop and detained all four occupants. The driver was identified as Julian Casares, 19, of Hammond, IN, who did not possess a valid driver’s license.
During the investigation, troopers observed two firearms in plain view inside the vehicle. A Glock pistol was on the rear passenger seat, and an AR-style pistol was on the front passenger floorboard. Criminal‑history checks determined that Casares and rear passenger Hector Hills‑Montejano, 20, of Hammond, IN, were prohibited possessors of firearms. Casares was further confirmed to be a convicted felon.
Illinois State Police Troopers arrived at approximately 1:03 a.m. Casares and Montejano were transferred into their custody and transported to the Cook County Jail in Maywood, Illinois. Extradition proceedings for Casares and Montejano remain pending. Additional passengers in the vehicle were released without being criminally charged.
The following charges will be submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration:
- Aggravated Battery- Level 3 Felony
- Possession of Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon- Level 4 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement- Level 6 Felony
- Reckless Driving- Class A Misdemeanor
- Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun- Class A Misdemeanor
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash- Class B Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated (Endangering)- Class A Misdemeanor
All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless proven guilty in court.
