Man leads Mishawaka police on chase, points gun at officer

July 26, 2011|By ERIN BLASKO South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA — City police arrested a 19-year-old South Bend man Monday after he reportedly led them on a chase and pointed a gun at an officer in the area of Hillis Hans Park.

According to police, after determining that the plates on the man’s Dodge Durango belonged to a different vehicle, an officer tried to stop him about 11:15 a.m. in front of Parkview Terrace.

Rather than stop, however, the man fled, police said, leading them on a wild chase down nearby city streets, including past Hillis Hans and the Salvation Army.

At 13th and Michigan streets, the man stopped, police said. He let his girlfriend and young child out of the vehicle and then closed the door and continued west on 13th.

From there, he proceeded to 12th and Laurel streets, police said. He then stopped again, exited the vehicle and fled on foot, running north across 12th toward Princess City Apartments and then back toward Parkview Terrace.

At one point, police said, the man pointed a handgun at a pursuing officer. He never fired the weapon, however, and later tossed it into a trash bin.

Police eventually apprehended the man in front of the main entrance to Parkview Terrace, on 13th Street across from Hillis Hans Park.

During a subsequent search, they reportedly found marijuana in the man’s front pocket and an empty black holster in his vehicle. The gun was inside a trash bin behind Princess City Apartments.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of marijuana possession; resisting arrest, flight to avoid; possession of a concealed weapon; trespassing; driving while suspended; false or fictitious registration; reckless driving; no financial responsibility; and pointing a firearm.

No charges had been filed in the case as of this afternoon. However, he reportedly is set to be sentenced on a prior charge of possession without a license and possession within 1,000 feet of a school.

It is Tribune police in most cases not to identify a suspect until he or she has been charged.

Staff writer Erin Blasko:
eblasko@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6187

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