A La Porte County K9 assisted in the apprehension of a La Porte man Thursday after he allegedly led police on a pursuit through two states.
A traffic stop was conducted by La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Jake Pisowicz near the intersection of U.S. 20 and U.S. 35 in La Porte County around 2:30 p.m. Thursday when police say the driver fled the scene in his blue Dodge Neon.
During the pursuit, the driver, later identified as 35-year-old Travis Hatchel of La Porte, allegedly discarded items from the vehicle. Several deputies joined in the pursuit into Berrien County, Michigan.
Deputies continued to pursue the vehicle around and in a field located north of U.S. 12 and west of Hampton Road. The vehicle got stuck and when Hatchel began to back up, his vehicle reportedly hit an unmarked pickup truck driven by LaPorte Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Deputy Ryan Elcock. The driver fled the vehicle and began a foot pursuit, according to the report.
Deputy Elcock and La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Jon Samuelson, along with K9 Bosco gave chase through a water-filled ditch where K9 Bosco was able to make contact with Hatchel. Hatchel struggled with K9 Bosco, but Deputy Elcock and La Porte County Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Pishkur were able to successfully detain Hatchel.
Hatchel was taken to the Berrien County Jail in St. Joseph, Michigan where he will eventually be extradited to the La Porte County Jail. Police say Hatchel will be charged in Indiana and Michigan for offenses related to the vehicle and foot pursuits. He also has several active warrants for this arrest through the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office, according to the report.
Officers were assisted by Captain Andy Hynek, Sergeants Jeff Wright and Andrew Hahn, Deputies Paul Adams, Wade Wallace, Alex Clemons and Tyler Oberholtzer, Indiana State Police, Michigan State Police, Trail Creek Police Department, Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and Berrien County EMS
Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
