Man arrested after CPD officer hit during multi-county chase

CHICAGO — A man is in custody on Thursday after he allegedly hit a CPD officer during a multi-county pursuit in a stolen car.

According to officials from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, the chase began after the driver of a stolen Volkswagen fled from Chicago police as they attempted a traffic stop. While fleeing, the driver allegedly struck a CPD officer.

Deputies said a helicopter tracked the driver as they were headed east toward Indiana, where several deputies had positioned themselves in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

As the driver approached the first blockade, deputies said the Volkswagen exited at Grant Street in Gary and was able to evade authorities while traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver then got back onto I-80/94 and began heading toward Illinois again.

Deputies said it is believed that officers from another agency were able to deploy stop sticks near Cline Avenue, which slowed the vehicle down.

Deputies said, during one of the roadblock attempts, the driver ended up hitting a Lake County officer’s patrol car twice.

The chase eventually came to an end near Torrence Avenue after the driver of the Volkswagen lost control of the vehicle. The driver was then placed into custody and taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Authorities said the driver was a 22-year-old man from Illinois who had a warrant for battery, assault and obstruction out in DuPage County.

Authorities said the suspect is currently being held in the Lake County, Indiana jail pending criminal charges.