Laporte, Ind. _ A burglary suspect eluded police in northern Indiana by stealing the squad car of one of the officers pursuing him.
Police later found the car in the garage of a LaPorte County home, but there was no one in the house.
“We’re just trying to regroup and find out where this guy went,” said Police Chief Walter Brath.
Authorities said a North Liberty police officer was pursuing the man’s van Monday following a reported burglary in St. Joseph County when the man bailed out near a church.
When the officer left his car to chase the man on foot, the suspect circled around the church and stole the squad car, authorities said.
The officer had left the keys in the ignition and the engine was running, said North Liberty police Chief Steve Michael.
The man fled into LaPorte County at speeds over 100 mph and again eluded pursuit.
Investigators believe the man then broke into a home in LaPorte and called for a cab, but the dispatcher became suspicious and called police.
Police went to the home and surrounded it after finding the squad car in the garage, but the man was no longer there when officers entered the house.
Authorities said they knew the man’s name and would seek an arrest warrant.