Leonel Alcides Erazo, 50, of East Chicago, faces several felony and misdemeanor charges after East Chicago Police allege he led officers on an extended vehicle chase through city streets, crashed into a parked vehicle with an occupant inside, ran from police on foot, and was later found with cocaine and marijuana while under the influence.
According to a probable cause affidavit, on January 27, 2026, around 9:04 p.m., officers spotted a silver Chevrolet near 151st Street and Indianapolis Boulevard with a broken headlight. When police activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop, the driver did not comply and instead fled through nearby residential streets and alleys.
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Police said the vehicle traveled along several streets, including Railroad Avenue, Olcott Avenue, Magoun Avenue, Northcote Avenue, Chicago Avenue, and Cline Service Road before entering Cline Avenue. Officers reported the driver operated the vehicle erratically, ignored traffic control devices, crossed left of center into oncoming traffic, and caused multiple near collisions with other vehicles.
The affidavit notes that the vehicle exited near 169th Street, lost control, and crashed into a ditch before regaining control and continuing to flee. Police said the vehicle later drove onto a lawn in the 7200 block of 24th Avenue, continued driving, and then crashed into a white vehicle parked in the driveway of a home in the 2400 block of Blaine Street. A woman seated inside the parked vehicle complained of neck pain.
Officers continued the pursuit until the vehicle stopped in the 7000 block of 24th Avenue. Police said the driver exited and ran on foot. Despite repeated commands to stop, he continued fleeing, prompting officers to deploy a Taser. Police stated Erazo resisted as officers attempted to place him in restraints.
Officers reported a strong odor of alcohol coming from Erazo’s breath and clothing. Police observed watery, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and poor balance. Erazo allegedly told officers, “few beers, I’m drunk, my life is over.”
During a search, officers found a clear plastic bag containing a white powdery substance and another bag with green leafy material in his pants pocket. Field tests indicated the substances were cocaine and marijuana. Police also located empty beer bottles inside the vehicle.
Police determined Erazo’s driver’s license was suspended and that he had prior convictions for Resisting Law Enforcement and Driving While Suspended. Erazo reportedly refused a chemical breath test after officers read Indiana’s implied consent law.
Erazo was lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed January 29, 2026:
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Possession of Cocaine — Level 6 Felony
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Resisting Law Enforcement (Using a Vehicle) — Level 6 Felony
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Resisting Law Enforcement (Using a Vehicle) — Level 6 Felony
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Driving While Suspended (Prior) — Class A Misdemeanor
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Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Bodily Injury — Class A Misdemeanor
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Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License (Prior) — Class A Misdemeanor
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Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person — Class A Misdemeanor
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Resisting Law Enforcement (Forcibly) — Class A Misdemeanor
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Resisting Law Enforcement (Forcibly) — Class A Misdemeanor
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Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Vehicle Damage) — Class B Misdemeanor
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Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
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Operating While Intoxicated — Class C Misdemeanor
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Improper Headlights — Infraction
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Improper Driving on Left Side of Roadway — Infraction
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Disregarding an Official Traffic Control Device — Infraction