Technology Helps Lake County Sheriff’s Department Make Swift Arrest of Stolen Vehicle Suspect

On Tuesday, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department was able to make a significant arrest thanks to technology. An officer received an alert from the department’s license plate reader network just before noon on March 26. The alert warned the officer to be on the lookout for a stolen vehicle traveling eastbound on the Borman expressway. When the officer located the vehicle and attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver chose to flee instead.

The fleeing driver led officers through Gary and Lake Station, eventually into Porter County while heading south on Indiana Highway 49. In order to stop the vehicle, officers performed a maneuver and were able to arrest the driver without incident. Following the arrest, it was confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from Broadview, Illinois.

Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. praised the role of technology in quickly resolving crimes, such as stolen vehicle cases, and helping law enforcement take individuals into custody before they can commit further crimes. He expressed his commitment to advancing the Sheriff’s Department by investing in new technology to support officers in their duties. The success of this arrest demonstrates the importance of technology as a critical tool for law enforcement officials. Michelle L. Quinn, a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune, contributed to this report.