A Wisconsin man was taken into custody in LaPorte County from an incident stemming in Illinois Friday night.
Vincent J. Toliver, 34, reportedly fired shots inside a Walgreen’s store in Broadview, Illinois. Indiana State Police troopers continued a pursuit of his vehicle on I-294 and I-80 into Indiana. Stop sticks were deployed several times across I-80 onto I-94, but Toliver was able to avoid hitting them. LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department deputies attempted to deploy stop sticks, but Toliver was able to escape them as well. Troopers slowed eastbound traffic, and Toliver’s SUV slowed to a stop near the Michigan City exit. Toliver then began traveling slowly eastbound and turned around going west in the eastbound lanes on I-94 before coming to a stop.
Toliver refused commands to exit the vehicle when commanded to do so by officers. A negotiator from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene to talk Toliver out of the car and Toliver eventually exited the vehicle with a handgun in his hand, according to a press release. Police say he aimed the gun at his head and then put his hands up. He did not surrender the gun as he stood in the middle of I-94.
The LaPorte County SWAT team arrived to assist with negotiations. After an hour, Toliver was hit with a non-lethal weapon and was taken into custody. No injuries were reported. He was transported to IU Health LaPorte Hospital and then booked into the LaPorte County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property and resisting law enforcement. The handgun in Toliver’s possession was reportedly stolen out of Tennessee.
Further charges are pending. The case remains under investigation.
