News Release

ELKHART – A lengthy pursuit on the Indiana Toll Road of a stolen U-Haul landed an Illinois man in jail after he refused to stop for Indiana State Troopers.

The incident happened on Monday, February 7, when Indiana State Police received a call from the Ohio State Highway Patrol informing them that their troopers had been in pursuit of a stolen U-Haul in the Toledo, Ohio area. Authorities in Ohio were able to provide identifying information on the vehicle and they also had reason to believe that it was in Indiana.

At approximately 9 p.m., Trooper Garrett Tharp saw the alleged stolen U-Haul as it traveled westbound on the Indiana Toll Road two miles west of the Elkhart exit. 

The trooper also observed the driver make several moving violations. When Tharp attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver of the U-Haul accelerated away in an attempt to flee.

The driver of the U-Haul continued westbound with troopers in pursuit and at times turned off the lights on the U-Haul. Near the 72-mile marker, the U-Haul struck stop sticks, deflating both driver-side tires, but the vehicle did not stop. The U-Haul struck another set of stop sticks near the 63-mile marker, deflating a passenger-side tire.

The driver of the U-Haul continued to flee while driving on three rims and throwing sparks from the vehicle. The U-Haul eventually lost a rear rim on the left side but continued to flee with the rear axle dragging on the left side.

The U-Haul ultimately came to a stop in Porter County. The driver, Geramie Evans, 26 of Wheaton, Ill., was taken into custody. 

Evans was taken to a local hospital for a certified test after troopers located suspected marijuana and believed Evans to be under the influence.  While at the hospital a medical issue unrelated to the pursuit was discovered that required Evans to be admitted for observation.  While at the hospital, Evans allegedly kicked a trooper and spit on him.

Evans was released from the hospital on February 10 and was transported to the Elkhart County Jail.  He was booked for Theft of a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement, Battery on Law Enforcement, Reckless Driving, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the St. Joseph County Police Department, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, and troopers with the Indiana State Police Lowell Post.