Trooper Hamed was able to catch up to the vehicle and observed the vehicle swerving as well as making unsafe lane movements. A traffic stop was initiated and the vehicle was stopped just east of Burr St. During the traffic stop, the odor of a controlled substance was detected.
As the investigation continued, the driver placed the vehicle into gear and fled from the scene at a high rate of speed. A brief pursuit then resulted in the vehicle exiting at Grant St where it crashed into a traffic direction arrow board. The driver then exited the vehicle through the driver’s side window. After being given verbal commands to stop, the driver fled on foot. A taser was deployed but was ineffective.
Trooper Hamed, Trooper Carlson and Trooper Stancy then chased after the suspect and attempted to place him into custody. A physical altercation between the troopers and the suspect took place with the suspect refusing to comply with the officer's verbal commands to stop resisting. The officers were eventually able to stop the aggression by the suspect and place him into custody. The suspect was offered and refused medical treatment at the scene.
A loaded .40 caliber Glock handgun was recovered from inside the vehicle. The search also resulted in the discovery of plastic baggies that contained a dark colored rock-like substance. The suspect, identified as Aaron L. Pointer, 33, from Ford Heights, IL, was transported to the Lake County Jail. The vehicle was impounded by McCoy and Sons Towing.
Mr. Pointer is facing the following charges:
- Dealing in a Schedule I Narcotic Drug – Level 2 Felony
- Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic Drug – Level 3 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor
- Carrying a Handgun without a License – Class A Misdemeanor
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident – Class B Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving – Class C Misdemeanor
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office.
Assisting at the scene were the Gary Police Department, the Lake County Sheriff's Department and Gary Fire/EMS.