On Sunday (9/21) at 3:36 AM, Deputy Austin Wells was standing on a sidewalk near the intersection of Lincolnway and Monroe Street. He observed a vehicle traveling west on Lincolnway in excess of the posted speed limit (25 MPH). Deputy Wells estimated the vehicle to be traveling approximately 50 miles per hour and sounding as if it had a flat tire.

Near the intersection of 1st and “J” Streets, Deputy Wells attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle. The vehicle failed to yield triggering a motor vehicle pursuit (MVP). The MVP traveled along several city streets on the west side of La Porte. As the vehicle negotiated a curve and began traveling south on Ziegler Road, it lost control and crashed into a fence at the La Porte County Highway Department (1805 West 5th Street). The vehicle left the scene and continued traveling south on Ziegler Road.

The MVP continued west on SR 2. A set of tire deflation devices (TDDs) were successfully deployed at the intersection of SR 2 and Wozniak Road. The MVP continued west on SR 2 and then north on US 421. Additional sets of TDDs were deployed at US 421 and CR 300 North, and Franklin Street and US 20. The MVP continued north on Franklin Street and on several other city streets located on the far north side of Michigan City.

The fleeing vehicle eventually stopped at the entrance of B & E Marine (31 Lakeshore Drive). The driver exited the vehicle, failed to obey commands, and began to flee on foot into the property of B & E Marine.

Deputy Wells deployed K9 Simba where he gave chase of the fleeing subject. K9 Simba apprehended the subject by biting him in the center of the back causing him to fall to the ground.

The driver was identified as 34-year-old Jacob L. COOPER of Kalamazoo, Michigan. COOPER was transported to an area for medical clearance. He was later cleared, transported to the La Porte County Jail (LCJ), and arrested for the following offenses:
 Resisting Law Enforcement w/vehicle, L6 Felony
 Resisting Law Enforcement, A-Misd.
 Operating While Intoxicated, A-Misd.
 Operating While Intoxicated, C-Misd.
 Leaving the Scene, B-Misd.
 Wanted Person – Noble County

COOPER remains housed in the LCJ.

Assisting: Sergeants Gabe Struss and Scott Lanoue, Deputies Shayne Landry, Austin Howell and Joe Walker, La Porte, Michigan City, and Westville Police Departments, La Porte County EMS, and Cloverleaf Garage

Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.