Lake County- On December 31, 2022, at approximately 4:35 p.m., the Portage Police Department had been in pursuit of a tan Chevrolet that had been involved in a theft in their city. The pursuit was terminated by Portage PD as it entered Lake County on I-80/94.
A short time later, Trp. Jace Haddon located a vehicle near 25th and Chase St. in Gary that matched the vehicle that had been involved in the earlier pursuit. Trp. Haddon initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, but the vehicle fled. After a short pursuit, the vehicle crashed at the intersection of 25th and Colfax St. where it struck a white SUV that was crossing that intersection. The driver of the Chevrolet was taken into custody. A passenger in the vehicle sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to Northlake Hospital in Gary for treatment. The occupants of the SUV were also transported for treatment of minor injuries.
During the investigation, the driver was identified as Jonathan M. Riley, 21, from Dolton, IL. Riley was transported to Northlake Hospital where he was medically cleared before being transported to the Lake County Jail for processing. The female passenger in the vehicle, Alaylah D. Edmond, 19, from Phoenix, AZ, sustained serious injuries and was treated at Northlake Hospital. During the investigation, a Century Arms AK-Rifle was located in the front seat area of the vehicle. Further investigation will be completed on the weapon.
Mr. Riley is preliminarily charged with the following offenses:
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle Causing Injuries- Level 5 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle- Level 6 Felony
- Resisting Law Enforcement- Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class A Misdemeanor
- Reckless Driving- Class C Misdemeanor
Further charges may be filed against Riley and Edmond by the Portage Police Department in Porter County. All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless proven guilty in court.
