Mikal Naeem Morocco, 24, of Gary, is facing several felony and misdemeanor charges following a vehicle pursuit that ended in a crash while a one-year-old child was inside the vehicle.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed on January 20, 2026, the incident took place on January 17, 2026, around 12:16 p.m. near Ridge Road and Pierce Street in Gary.
Court records indicate a deputy observed a maroon Dodge Durango traveling without a visible registration plate and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. When the deputy approached the vehicle, an odor of burnt marijuana was detected coming from inside. Morocco told officers there was no marijuana in the vehicle but admitted he had smoked inside the car the previous night.
Due to the odor, officers asked Morocco to step out of the vehicle. The affidavit states that instead, Morocco put the vehicle into drive and fled the scene, leading officers on a pursuit westbound on Ridge Road and northbound on Johnson Street. Authorities report he continued at a high rate of speed while ignoring emergency lights and sirens.
Near the intersection of 35th Avenue and Johnson Street, Morocco attempted to turn eastbound but lost control because of icy road conditions and excessive speed. The vehicle struck a fence and became disabled at a residence in the 1400 block of West 35th Avenue.
Following the crash, officers discovered a one-year-old child seated in the back of the vehicle. The child’s mother, who was also a passenger and pregnant at the time, told officers the infant might be injured. Both the child and the mother were evaluated by medical personnel and were cleared at the scene.
The affidavit states Morocco fled on foot after the crash but was later located and taken into custody in an alley behind a nearby residence. During a search of the area, officers found a Glock 22 .40-caliber handgun with an extended magazine and a live round chambered on the roof of a nearby home in the area where Morocco exited the vehicle.
Authorities reported the firearm was traced and returned clear, and records show Morocco was legally permitted to possess it.
Charges filed on January 20, 2026, include two counts of neglect of a dependent as Level 6 felonies, resisting law enforcement using a vehicle as a Level 6 felony, and resisting law enforcement as a Class A misdemeanor.