Police chase ends with suspect vehicle in St. Joseph River

A police chase that began in Berrien County ended when the suspect's vehicle landed in the St. Joseph River, according to Berrien County dispatch.

According to the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, deputies initiated a traffic stop on a stolen 1986 Ford F-250 pickup truck on South 3rd Street, near Ontario Road.

The driver of the vehicle, a 35-year-old man from Niles Township, allegedly refused to stop for deputies and a pursuit began.

The chase continued on South 3rd Street out of Michigan and into Indiana on Kenilworth Road.

The suspect then turned onto Cleveland Road and eventually onto Riverside Drive.

Once on Riverside Drive, the truck couldn't navigate the corner at East Marion Street and went through the grass of the Milton Home and down the embankment of the St. Joseph River.

The suspect got himself out of the vehicle and was helped to shore by a nearby fisherman.

He was taken to the hospital for treatment.

The sheriff's office is seeking an arrest warrant for the suspect for possession of stolen property and fleeing and eluding, reports said.

The South Bend Fire Department was also called to assist.  

*Update: At the time of the incident, the Berrien County Sheriff's Office received misleading information identifying the suspect as a Mishawaka man. Upon further investigation, deputies identified the suspect as a 35-year-old man from Niles Township. We have updated our story to reflect this change.