Whiting Illinois Squad Car Stolen
By Jim Masters
12/14/03 - Northwest Indiana News
Whiting, Illinois – An East Chicago man is at large after allegedly stealing a Whiting police officer’s patrol car during an altercation in the 1200 block of 119th Street on Thursday afternoon.
The suspect is identified as Wallace Arthur Ross, 41, of 4719 Drummond Street. He is described as black, 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 110 pounds, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
Ross is also wanted on outstanding warrants in Hammond, Merrilville and Lake County, said Whiting Police Chief Dave Tobias.
Whiting police Lt. John Sopo and Cpl. Kevin Puhek were dispatched at 2:20 p.m. Thursday to Family Dollar, 1241, 119th Street, regarding a man inside wearing clothing he did not wear into the store, Tobias said.
Upon arrival, the officers spoke to Ross and placed him in the back of Sopo’s patrol car while they spoke to a person who said he was an employee, said he was with Ross. He is identified as Thomas Brannon, 58, of 4009 Melville Avenue, East Chicago.
Tobias said Sopo placed Ross unhandcuffed in the back seat of his patrol car and left the engine running.
Meanwhile, Puhek informed Brannon his car would be towed because he was unable to produce a valid driver’s license. Brannon then became verbally abusive and started a physical altercation with Puhek and Sopo, which spilled over into the area in front of Baran Funeral Home, next door, Tobias said.
After the officers placed Brannon in handcuffs, they turned and realized Ross had driven off in Sopo’s patrol car, Tobias said.
Hammond and East Chicago police then joined Whiting police in searching the area for the patrol car.
Whiting police Capt. Louis Toth discovered the car about 5 – 10 minutes later next to the railroad tracks in the 1400 block of Myrtle Avenue in Hammond’s Robertsdale neighborhood. The driver’s side door of the car was open and the keys were missing, Tobias said.
Police dogs from Whiting and East Chicago unsuccessfully searched the area for the suspect.
Brannon was arrested for resisting law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer. Auto theft charges will be pursued against Ross, Tobias said. Charges of conversion and fleeing law enforcement against Ross are also being considered.
Tobias said he has not yet determined whether Sopo broke departmental rules.
"We will review whether department procedure was violated," he said. "If so, he will face disciplinary action. We’ll have to sit down with Lt. Sopo and discuss this."