Saturday morning at approximately 4:17 a.m., Trooper Alaa Hamed was patrolling I-80/94 in an unmarked police car when he stopped for what he believed was a disabled vehicle.  The vehicle was parked on I-80/94 east bound at the 13 mile-marker on the right shoulder.  The vehicle did not have any lights on.  Trooper Hamed pulled in behind the vehicle, stopped and then activated his emergency lights for safety.  Upon doing so, the vehicle turned on its lights and pulled away at a high rate of speed.  As the vehicle sped away, items were being thrown out of the driver’s window.  Trooper Hamed then attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the driver refused to stop.  A pursuit then began with the vehicle traveling into Lake Station, Gary, and New Chicago before the pursuit was terminated in Hobart when officers lost sight of the vehicle.  Traffic was very light and there weren’t any pedestrians during the pursuit.  The vehicle, a gray 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, struck a tree in Gary, but was able to continue into New Chicago.   

After the pursuit was terminated, officers went to the address where the registered owner resides.  Upon locating the Jeep in the driveway, officers knocked on the door and spoke to a female.  Officers determined that Alex P. Ramirez, 28 years of age from Hammond, IN, had been driving the vehicle, but that he wasn’t currently at the residence.  Shortly thereafter, Ramirez appeared and surrendered himself after hiding in a neighbor’s yard.  Ramirez was taken into custody without incident.  Ramirez was found to be intoxicated at the scene.  He was also in possession of marijuana and had a suspended driver’s license.  He refused field sobriety tests as well as the certified chemical test.

Assisting agencies include the Gary, Hobart, Lake Station and New Chicago Police Departments.  The vehicle was impounded at WAFFCO Towing. 

Ramirez is being charged with: 

  • Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle (Level 6 Felony
  • Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor)
  • Operating While Intoxicated Endangering (Class A Misdemeanor)
  • Possession of Marijuana (Class B Misdemeanor)
  • Reckless Driving (Class B Misdemeanor)
  • Operating While Intoxicated Refusal (Class C Misdemeanor)
  • Driving While Suspended (Infraction)

*All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court*

-30-