Driver crashes car into South Bend business, attempts to flee

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—A car crashed into a building in South Bend on Wednesday morning following a police pursuit.

South Bend police officers were dispatched to the area of Lafayette and Sample for a welfare check on a male said to be sleeping in a running vehicle around 6:22 a.m.

Officers tried to get the male out of the vehicle when he drove away south on Lafayette Boulevard.

The suspect went through a red light at a high rate of speed.

As officers tried to catch up, the suspect crashed into LKQ Pick Your Part, located at 1602 South Lafayette Boulevard.

The suspect was then seen getting out of the vehicle through the passenger side before attempting to run away on foot.

Police caught the suspect, who was transported to the hospital for minor injuries.

The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old Antonio Cruz.

Cruz was released from the hospital and booked into St. Joseph County Jail.

A sales manager at LKQ said that business will definitely be impacted today but the extent is unknown.