Police Looking for Passenger Involved in Pursuit

Nicholas Cook
Travis Hatchel

Officers from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department are attempting to locate a passenger involved in a pursuit incident Monday afternoon.

Police say that the pursuit began in La Porte County on I-94 after Valparaiso Police Department officers reportedly witnessed a driver in a gold Cadillac commit a traffic infraction in the area of U.S. 421.  The driver, later identified as 34-year-old Nicholas S. Cook of New Carlisle, did not stop when officers attempted a traffic stop and reportedly engaged in a pursuit. 

Several on-duty and off-deputy deputies from La Porte County joined in the pursuit as it went through the northern portion of La Porte County before traveling into the City of La Porte.  About an hour after the pursuit began, the driver and passenger exited the vehicle in the area of Fail Road and County Road 200 North, according to the report.

The report goes on to say that Cook was found following a lengthy search.  He faces a preliminary felony charge of resisting law enforcement, and misdemeanor charges of driving while suspended, aggressive driving, reckless driving, and criminal recklessness.  He was booked into the La Porte County Jail with a cash-only bond of $755 through La Porte Circuit Court. 

The passenger, 33-year-old Travis E. Hatchel of La Porte, is still at-large.  He is described as a Caucasian male, 5’11”, 160 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair.  Police say that it’s possible that he may have a lighter hair color than in his mugshot.  If you know the whereabouts of Travis Hatchel, call 219-363-9623. 

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.