Trooper Griffin made a traffic stop of the vehicle near the 14.5 mile-marker. During the initial interaction with the driver, Trooper Griffin detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver’s breath and observed several open containers of alcoholic beverages inside the vehicle.
The driver initially identified himself as Brandon Lee Johnson; however, a record check through Illinois and Indiana returned invalid. The trooper again asked for the driver’s identification and he again stated the false information. The driver was then asked to exit the vehicle due to his lack of cooperation. As Trooper Griffin placed the first handcuff on the suspect, the suspect quickly spun around and pulled away from the officer. The trooper attempted to gain control of the suspect; however, the suspect pushed the trooper, grabbing his uniform, ripping the radio from his uniform.
A physical altercation took place between the trooper and the suspect resulting in the suspect running from the scene westbound along the highway. Trooper Griffin also gave chase on foot while yelling at the suspect to stop. The suspect was able to run through a ditch, jumping over a fence before running into a field. A State Police K9 was requested to assist with locating the suspect. The suspect was later found hiding along a wooded area by Indiana State Police K-9 Rogue where he was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was eventually identified as Randy Lee Johnson, 37, from Arlington Heights, IL.
Mr. Johnson refused to take any field sobriety tests as well as the certified chemical test for intoxication. Mr. Johnson was booked into the Lake County Jail and is preliminarily charged with the following:
- Battery on Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A-Misdemeanor
- False Informing- Class A Misdemeanor
- Criminal Mischief- Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated Endangering- Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating While Intoxicated- 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.