A Rensselaer man faces several charges after a pursuit that ended at the La Porte County building Friday, February 24.
Police say a vehicle traveling on U.S. 20 near Fail Road was traveling at 63 mph in a 45 mph speed zone just after 2 a.m. CT. A deputy from the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department attempted a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop, according to the report. A pursuit began, but it stopped when the suspect’s vehicle reportedly traveled onto I-94. The officer continued to watch the vehicle as it turned around and came back to travel on U.S. 20.
The pursuit resumed westbound on U.S. 20 and on U.S. 35. The driver hit a set of stop sticks at the intersection of U.S. 35 and Johnson Road, deployed by the La Porte City Police Department.
The pursuit continued southbound on U.S. 35 into the City of La Porte. The vehicle continued to the dead end of Perry Street where it crashed into Norfolk Southern railroad tracks, according to the report.
The driver fled the vehicle on foot along the railroad tracks. The foot chase continued in the direction toward the La Porte County Complex. Police say he approached the door of the building, which houses the La Porte County Sheriff’s Administrative Offices and the La Porte County Jail. A Michigan City Police Department K9 apprehended the driver as he was attempting entry into the building.
The driver, 31-year-old Christopher R. Rodriquez of Rensselaer, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of a K9 bite. After he was treated and released, he was arrested on preliminary felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, unlawful carrying of handgun, and resisting law enforcement, along with misdemeanor charges of resisting law enforcement and aggressive driving.
He is being held on a $20,005 cash-only bond through La Porte Circuit Court.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
