TWO STATE POLICE CHASE ENDS IN BENTON HARBOR

By: Stan Maddux
An alleged impaired driver was captured by police following a 50 mile high speed chase from Indiana to Berrien County.
Casey Land, 41, was being held in the Berrien County Jail on multiple charges including operating while intoxicated after crashing into a roundabout in downtown Benton Harbor.
Police said Land about 8 p.m. on Friday, March 10 stole a 2013 Ford Escape in the 700 block of Emily St. in Michigan City.
A short time later, a LaPorte County Police officer on U.S 12 near Liberty Trail tried pulling him over for driving erratically but Land allegedly accelerated and refused to stop.
Police said the chase exceeding 100 miles per hour crossed into Michigan on U.S. 12 and while in New Buffalo veered down Barker St. then Michigan St. before continuing southbound on Whittaker St. and eastbound on Interstate 94.
About 15 miles later, police said Land turned onto Red Arrow Highway and continued at high speeds on Lake St. through downtown Bridgman.
The pursuit was on Shawnee Road near Baroda when the fleeing driver turned onto U.S. 31.
According to Michigan State Police, the suspect after stop sticks flattened at least two of his tires continued on for another three or four miles.
The chase ended when the flattened tires fell off the rims and his vehicle crashed at a roundabout at Main St. and Riverview Dr. near the Whirlpool Corporation.
Police said Land drove off with the SUV after the owner started it up and left until the engine warmed up.
Land of rural LaPorte is also charged in Berrien County with four other counts including possession of stolen property and driving without a valid license.
According to authorities, Land will be held in Michigan until he answers to charges filed against him in that state.
He’ll then be returned to Indiana to face auto theft and other criminal allegations such as resisting law enforcement.
According to court records, Land was sentenced in September to 34 days in the LaPorte County Jail for possession of marijuana. He also served 282 days of incarceration in LaPorte County for theft and battery in 2016.