Two teens have been arrested after a police chase that spanned multiple counties in northwest Indiana on Friday night. The chase began when an Indiana State Police trooper attempted to pull over a black Jeep driving 71 mph in a 45 mph zone on US-20 in LaPorte County. The driver, 19-year-old Roberto Valencuela of Madison, Illinois, refused to stop and led police on a chase that eventually ended in Lake County after passing through Porter County on I-94.
Police attempted to stop the Jeep multiple times using spike strips, but were unsuccessful until it hit a strip near the Portage exit. Valencuela and his passenger, 18-year-old Angela Rodriguez of Chicago, were arrested near the Lake Station exit. Both are currently in custody at the LaPorte County Jail.
Valencuela and Rodriguez are facing charges including dealing a Schedule IV substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of a machine gun. Police found a Glock 23 in the Jeep with a switch that converted it into a fully automatic weapon. Valencuela is also charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle.
The incident highlights the dangers of high-speed police chases and the importance of following traffic laws. The Indiana State Police are reminding the public to obey speed limits and pull over when directed by law enforcement. Thank you for reading this article from WNDU.
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