The driver of a U-Haul led police on a chase after a reported burglary on Tulip Road. The suspects attempted to break into an outbuilding and a barn. Some fled on foot while the U-Haul driver fled but was spotted by police near Tulip Road and Edison Road. The U-Haul caught fire during the chase, the driver stopped and was arrested. The suspect, 19-year-old Joshua Johnson of Chicago, is charged with resisting arrest, criminal damage, trespassing and drug possession. The search for the other suspects is ongoing.
Further details from St. Joseph County Police can be found below:
On Tuesday, August 27, St. Joseph County Police were called to a possible burglary in the 54000 block of Tulip Road at approximately 3:30 a.m. The caller stated that a group of individuals in a U-Haul truck had advanced and attempted to enter outbuildings on the property. The caller said he caught individuals attempting to enter a barn and then fled on foot when they were caught. However, the driver remained in the U-Haul and drove away as the others fled on foot.
While searching the area, a county officer encountered a U-Haul truck near Tulip and Edison Roads. When the officer attempted to stop the truck, the driver turned off his lights and fled north at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued the truck north on Tulip, then turned east onto US 20, and finally south onto the US 20 Bypass. On the ramp to the Bypass, flames began to shoot from the underbody of the U-Haul. Less than a half-mile later, the driver stopped, exited the burning truck, and was detained by pursuing officers without incident. Officers then searched the vehicle for additional passengers, but were unable to locate any.
Joshua Johnson, age 19, of Chicago, IL, was arrested and taken into custody. Preliminary charges include resisting law enforcement by fleeing, trespassing, criminal damage to property, and drug possession. Police are still looking for additional suspects. If anyone has information about this incident or the additional suspects, they can call Detective Barnes of the St. Joseph County Police Department at 574-245-9569. All individuals are innocent until convicted in a court of law.
