Milwaukee man accused of leading pursuit, shooting at Indiana State Police trooper

LAKE COUNTY, Ind. (CBS 58) -- A 38-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested after authorities say he shot at Indiana State Police and fled from a trooper. 

The incident happened Monday, June 27. 

Indiana State Police said around 3:20 p.m., a trooper working on the Indiana Toll Road stopped to check on what he believed to be a disabled vehicle near the Calumet Avenue exit ramp. 

As the trooper approached the vehicle, the trooper observed the teal 1993 Ford Escort did not have a license plate and the driver then sped away at a high rate of speed. 

Officials say the trooper returned to his vehicle and attempted to catch up with the Escort but the driver failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. 

According to Indiana State Police, at one point during the pursuit, the fleeing driver made a U-turn and began to head eastbound in westbound lanes. As the driver was turning, officials say shots were fired by the suspect out the window at the trooper. 

The pursuit was terminated and a short time later, 911 calls reported a crash on the Indiana Toll Road. The callers reported a male suspect fled from a teal Ford carrying a handgun. 

Troopers from the Lowell and Toll Road Posts, as well as officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Gary Police Department, and the Hammond Police Department all responded to the scene. 

Officials say the suspect was spotted under a bridge a short distance from where the crash took place. He was naked and seen jumping into the Little Calumet River while holding a handgun. 

The Lake County Aviation Helicopter located the suspect across the river, attempting to hide in cattails. According to Indiana State Police, the suspect attempted to swim away from officers and after an extended amount of time in the water, the suspect was finally taken into custody. 

The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Carlos R. Santiago of Milwaukee, is being held at the Lake County Jail. Charges are currently pending. 

According to Indiana State Police, Santiago was wanted for questioning involving a police investigation in Milwaukee

The crash that occurred because the suspect was traveling the wrong way, resulted in patients being transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.