Illinois man flees police in stolen vehicle Tuesday morning in New Buffalo Township
Published 9:02 am Thursday, March 7, 2019
NEW BUFFALO TOWNSHIP — A man who led police on a vehicle pursuit Tuesday morning on I-94 was apprehended and taken into custody, according to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:13 a.m. when the Berrien County Public Safety Dispatch Center received information of a pursuit involving the Hobart Police Department and LaPorte County Sheriff’s on I-94 eastbound.
The pursuit of a Silver Ford Taurus was terminated on eastbound I-94 at the state line. As officers got off at exit one in New Buffalo Township to turnaround, they observed that the suspect’s vehicle had crashed into a sign post in front of McDonald’s. Police received information that the driver of the vehicle had left the scene of the crash and fled on foot and may have gotten into a pick-up truck.
New Buffalo Township Deputy Russell Robbins was dispatched to the area along with surrounding police agencies to assist in locating the suspect. A short time later, Sgt. James Flick, with the Grand Beach Police Department, located the suspect standing inside a car wash at the corner of Whittaker and Clay streets in New Buffalo.
The suspect was identified as Mark Jenkins, 33, of Blue Island, Illinois. Jenkins was taken into custody without incident. The vehicle that Jenkins was driving was reported stolen out of Hobart, Indiana, police said.
Jenkins was lodged in the Berrien County Jail by New Buffalo Township Deputy Robbins.
Jenkins received the following charges:
• Fail to stop and ID/motor vehicle accident
• No operator’s license
• Possession marijuana
•Possession stolen property
Police stated that the charges are merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The following agencies assisted at the scene Berrien County Sheriff’s Office – New Buffalo Township Patrol, Grand Beach Police Department, Pokagon Tribal Police Department, New Buffalo Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and Hobart Police Department.