On November 10, 2023, at approximately 2:26 AM, officers with the East Chicago Police Department in Indiana were dispatched to 3919 Deodar Street in reference to a 911 hang-up call. Officers were advised that the 911 dispatcher heard a female yell “Get off me” prior to the call disconnecting. Once officers arrived, they heard a disturbance inside the residence. As they got closer, a female came to the window and yelled “Help us”.

The female informed officers that the suspect had fled through the back door. In the back, officers observed the suspect enter a red Chevrolet sedan and flee south in the alley which was blocked by a marked squad car. The suspect allegedly drove in reverse towards the officers who were in the alley on foot. The officers were reportedly forced to jump out of the way to avoid being struck by the suspect.

The suspect was pursued on Columbus Drive onto Cline Avenue. The East Chicago Police Department said the suspect lost control of the vehicle on Cline Avenue near the 80/94 on-ramp. The suspect fled on foot on 80/94 while dodging traffic. Officers pursued the suspect with help from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Police say the suspect jumped the median at one point. Although an officer deployed their taser, it was ineffective. According to the East Chicago Police Department, officers grabbed the suspect and took him to the ground.

The suspect continued to resist and refused to get inside the squad car. A taser was deployed again and it was effective. The suspect was taken to the East Chicago Police Department Jail where he refused medical treatment. The suspect has been identified as 25-year-old David A. Johnson of East Chicago. He has been charged with the following:

• Attempted Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon
• Battery on a person less than 14 years old
• Domestic Battery
• Auto Theft
• Resisting Law Enforcement
• Resisting Law Enforcement
• 2 Misdemeanor counts of Invasion of Privacy