Second Man Arrested in Connection with LaPorte County Pursuit

The passenger of a vehicle that reportedly led police on a pursuit through LaPorte County Monday has reportedly been taken into custody. LaPorte County Police say Travis E. Hatchel, 33, was found Wednesday at a residence in the Countryside Village Mobile Home Community in South Bend, following anonymous tips from citizens.

Officers say Hatchel was wanted by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and St. Joseph County authorities. He and Nicholas S. Cook, 34, of New Carlisle, are accused of leading several officers on a vehicle chase for over an hour Monday, before fleeing from the vehicle. Cook was reportedly found later that night, but officers had been looking for Hatchel since then.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the South Bend Police Department; the LaPorte County Drug Task Force; and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division assisted the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team.