An Elkhart man has been arrested after investigators with the Elkhart Police Department say he stole a police car.
It happened around 4:20 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17, in the area of East Carlton Avenue and Prairie Street.
An officer checked the license plate on a vehicle that was in front of her, which came back as not returning to the vehicle it was on. At that time the vehicle pulled into a lot, the driver got out and put the hood up. The officer stopped to see if they could help the driver with the vehicle that appeared to be having mechanical problems.
As the officer spoke to the driver, he appeared to be nervous, stated he didn’t have a license and might have warrants. The driver also gave false information and a fake name.
As the officer was attempting to detain the accused he resisted, by pulling away from the officer and taking off on foot.
The officer and a second officer chased the accused through several yards and eventually back to where the vehicles were parked.
The accused entered a police vehicle at which time officers used a taser to try to stop him, but the taser was not effective and the accused drove away.
The suspect jumped a curb and drove through the parking lot.
The police vehicle was located in a lot in the 1400 block of West Lusher Avenue and the accused took off on foot.
A police canine from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department assisted and led offices to the 1300 block of Fieldhouse Avenue.
At this time officers were able to determine the identity of the suspect, Cameron McCain, 23, of Elkhart. Officers found McCain inside his home. He was taken into custody.
The police car was damaged.
McCain was arrested on preliminary charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, resisting law enforcement, refusal to identify, unlawful entry into a vehicle during the commission of a crime, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a crash, driving while suspended and warrants.
