Two home invasion suspects are in custody after a chase that started in Starke County and ended with a wreck at 200 East and 950 South in southern LaPorte County. Police say they are accused of breaking into a man’s home and threatening to kill his family if he didn’t comply with their demands.
Police report that just before 11 a.m. Friday in the 3000 block of 400 North in Starke County. The homeowner told police the two suspects, who he knew, entered the home and battered him with a gun. They made him open his gun case and took several firearms and other electronic items from the home.
One of the suspects stayed in the house while the other forced the man to drive to a local bank in Knox, and withdraw $800. They told the man they would kill his family if he didn’t do what they said.
Police say the man was driven back to the home where the suspects again threatened to kill him and his family if police were called after they left and would resist police if they were located and were not afraid to fire upon the officers.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department along with the Knox City Police, DNR Kingsford Heights Police Department, Lake County Helicopter and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department found the suspects traveling on 950 South in LaPorte County. A pursuit ended when the suspects wrecked in the area of 200 East and 950 South.
The suspects took off on foot, say police. One was quickly caught while several departments searched for the second man. K-9s and a helicopter were used in the search, with a LaPorte County K-9 unit eventually locating the suspect.
The investigation is ongoing, say police. They have not released the names of the suspects. The suspects are being held in the Starke County Jail with charges pending.
