U-Haul leads pursuit from Toledo to Porter County

ELKHART, Ind. – An Illinois man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a pursuit from Toledo, Ohio, to Porter County, Indiana, Indiana State Police reported.

On Monday, Indiana State Police Dispatch were informed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol that Ohio troopers had been pursuing a stolen U-Haul in the Toledo area.

Authorities in Ohio provided identifying information on the U-Haul and believed it was in Indiana.

At 9:02 p.m., an Indiana trooper located the U-Haul heading west near mile-marker 90 on the Indiana Toll Road.

As the trooper confirmed it was the same vehicle Ohio authorities had been pursuing, the trooper noticed the U-Haul driver make several moving violations, reports said.

The trooper tried to make a traffic stop but the driver of the U-Haul allegedly refused to stop, according to reports.

The driver of the U-Haul continued driving west and at times turned off the lights of the U-Haul, reports said.

Near mile-marker 72, the U-Haul hit stop sticks, deflating both driver-side tires, and continued driving.

The U-Haul hit another set of stop sticks near mile-marker 63, deflating a passenger-side tire.

The driver of the U-Haul continued driving on three rims, throwing sparks from the vehicle. The vehicle eventually lost a rear rim on the left side but continued traveling with the rear, left side axle dragging.

It eventually came to a controlled stop near mile-marker 36 in Porter County, ending a nearly 54-mile chase.

The driver, 26-year-old Geramie Evans of Wheaton, Illinois, was safely taken into custody.

Evans was taken to a hospital for a certified test after troopers found marijuana and believed Evans was under the influence, reports said.

He was admitted to the hospital for observation after a medical issue unrelated to the chase was found.

Evans allegedly kicked and spit on a trooper while at the hospital, according to reports.

He was released from the hospital on Thursday and taken to the Elkhart County Jail where he was booked for the following:

• Theft of a vehicle
• Resisting law enforcement
• Battery on law enforcement
• Reckless driving
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of paraphernalia