BALDWIN — A 36-year-old man wanted in connection with the death of a one-month-old baby was arrested in Lake County after a short police chase.
Lake County Sheriff Rich Martin said they got a tip early this morning about a suspect who ran from the scene of where a baby had died with his two other children, a one- and three-year-old.
He said the suspect, from Three Rivers in St. Joseph County was believed to be high at the time. Martin said the baby is believed to be his.
The suspect’s mom lives in Lake County. About an hour later, after the be on the lookout was issued, he was spotted travelling north on M-57 coming into the village of Baldwin.
After a 10-minute police chase, the suspect was finally arrested at his mother’s home on 40th Street in Webber Township. Martin said they deployed stop sticks during the pursuit, but they were not effective.
“Situations where we have a pursuit and a person of interest or someone that may be a suspect in a homicide, to go down this quick, take the person in custody, not have any children injured in the process. is definitely something that is an accomplishment. You know, it’s a win for this one,” said Martin.
The Sheriff said the kids have been placed into protective custody.
The man is facing charges of fleeing, eluding, and driving with a suspended license.
After he’s arraigned, Martin said the suspect will be transferred back down state for questioning regarding the infant death.