Elkhart man accused of leading police chase with 8-year-old in vehicle

ELKHART, Ind. - An Elkhart man was arrested after allegedly leading officers on a chase in a stolen vehicle with an 8-year-old inside, according to the Elkhart Police Department. The 8-year-old was not reported stolen with the vehicle.

At 4:49 p.m. on Monday, an officer responded to the 900 block of Johnson Street for a report of a suspicious vehicle.

The day before, a 2014 Buick Regal was reported stolen and the plate of the vehicle seen on Johnson Street matched that of the stolen Buick.

As the Buick traveled toward Beardsley Avenue, the officer initiated a traffic stop.

Instead of stopping, the driver of the Buick allegedly continued driving west on Beardsley.

During the chase, the Buick struck another vehicle that was parked in the 1100 block of W. Beardsley, according to reports.

The pursuit continued through Elkhart and into St. Joseph County, where officers in the area deployed stop sticks and deflated several of the Buick's tires.

As the driver of the Buick tried to turn east onto State Road 23, the vehicle slid into westbound traffic at a slow speed, striking several other vehicles.

No one was injured in the crash.

When police initiated a felony stop, an 8-year-old and a woman got out of the passenger side of the vehicle.

A man got out of the driver's side but would not comply with commands to get on the ground, police said.

A K9 was deployed to get the driver to comply.

The driver, identified as 38-year-old Mitchell Sigman of Elkhart, was arrested and taken first to the hospital for clearance and then to the Elkhart County Jail on the following charges:

  • Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
  • Auto theft with a prior
  • Resisting law enforcement with a vehicle
  • Child neglect
  • Intimidation
  • Leaving the scene of a crash

He was also booked on outstanding warrants out of Elkhart County.

The woman was released from the scene.

The 8-year-old was taken for a medical evaluation.

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