08/17/18 Elkhart, IN – Traffic Stop – 23 Year Old Male With No License – Foot Chase – Circled Back – Steals Elkhart Patrol Car – Patrol Car Found Abandoned – K9 Tracked – Arrested

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Elkhart police say a man briefly stole one of their patrol cars Friday afternoon.

Police say at approximately 4:22 p.m., an officer in the area of E. Carlton Ave. and Prairie St. checked the license plate on a vehicle in front of her, and it came back as not returning to the vehicle it was on.

The vehicle then pulled into a lot. The driver, identified as 23-year-old Cameron McCain of Elkhart, then got out and put the hood up. The officer stopped to see if she could assist McCain, and as she spoke to him, police say he appeared to be nervous, and said he didn’t have a license and might have warrants.

During this time, police say McCain gave officers false information, including a false name. While trying to detain him, police say he resisted, pulling away from the officer and fleeing on foot.

Police say they chased McCain through several yards and eventually back to where their vehicle were parked. That’s when he entered a police vehicle. Officers used a taser in an attempt to stop him, but it was not effective and he drove away.

The police vehicle was later located in a lot in the 1400 block of W. Lusher Ave. and police say McCain had fled on foot. A police canine led officers to the 1300 block of Fieldhouse Ave.

At this time, police say they were able to determine McCain’s identity and address, which was in that block. Officers searched the residence and arrested McCain without further incident.

Police say McCain was arrested for theft of a firearm, auto theft, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, resisting law enforcement in vehicle and on foot, 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.

The police vehicle was found to have damage, but police say there was no property removed from the vehicle, which included firearms.