The driver of a U-Haul led police on a chase after a reported burglary on Tulip Road. The suspects tried to break into an outbuilding and a barn. Some fled on foot, while the U-Haul driver took off but was spotted by police near Tulip and Edison Roads. The U-Haul caught fire during the chase, and the driver stopped and was arrested. The suspect, 19-year-old Joshua Johnson from Chicago, faces charges of resisting arrest, criminal mischief, trespassing, and drug possession. The search for the other suspects continues.
Read more details from St. Joseph County Police below:
At approximately 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27, St. Joseph County Police were dispatched to a possible burglary in progress 54000 block Tulip Road. The caller stated that a group of individuals arrived in U-haul truck and were attempting to force entry into outbuildings on the property. The caller said that he had caught individuals attempting to enter a barn that then fled on foot when caught; however, the driver had stayed in the U-haul and drove off when the others fled on foot.
While searching the area a county officer encountered a U-haul truck near Tulip and Edison Roads. As the officer attempted to stop the truck, the driver turned off its lights and fled north at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued the truck north on Tulip, then turned eastbound on US 20, and finally southbound on to the US 20 Bypass. While on the Bypass on-ramp flames began to shoot out of the under carriage of the U-haul. Less than a half-mile later the driver stopped and exited the burning truck and was detained by pursuing officers without incident. Officers then searched the vehicle for any other passengers, none were found.
Joshua Johnson, age 19 of Chicago IL, was arrested and jailed on preliminary charges of felony Resisting Law Enforcement by Fleeing, misdemeanor Criminal Trespassing, misdemeanor Criminal Mischief, and misdemeanor Possession of Controlled Substance. Police are still searching for the additional suspects. If anyone has information about this incident or the additional suspects, they can call St. Joseph County Police Detective Barnes at 574-245-9569. All individuals are innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.
