Police: Chicago woman threatens, bites trooper during traffic arrest

Post-Tribune, Post-Tribune (Merrillville, Ind.)
·2 min read
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Police arrested a Chicago woman on several felony and misdemeanor charges after they said she threatened and bit an Indiana State Police trooper during a traffic arrest on Interstate 94 in Porter County on Saturday evening.

Around 6:40 p.m. on June 29, Trooper Justin Baumeister was patrolling I-94 east of the truck weigh station when he observed a silver vehicle approaching him from behind at a high rate of speed, according to a release.

The trooper paced the passenger car, with Illinois plates, at 105 mph in an area with a speed limit of 70 mph.

The vehicle also changed lanes without signaling and passed other vehicles on the right. The trooper pulled the car over after it initially did not stop right away, police said.

The trooper handcuffed the driver, who showed signs of impairment from drinking, police said. The driver became verbally aggressive toward the trooper and insisted that her relative was a Chicago Police officer and demanded that the trooper call him immediately. While locating the driver’s identification in her purse, police found two fake Illinois identification cards.

The driver attempted several times to remove her handcuffs during transport to Porter County Jail and removed one handcuff. Police stopped the patrol car on the highway’s shoulder to handcuff the driver again but she continually pulled away.

Police said the driver leaned out of the vehicle and forcefully bit Trooper Baumeister on his right arm. He was able to pull his arm away as she screamed at him. Once the handcuffs were in place, she was transported to the Porter County Jail.

While en route to the jail, she continued threats of violence toward the trooper and his family, police said. At the jail, she refused to take a chemical test for intoxication and spit on one of the jail officers during the booking process.

The Post-Tribune is not identifying the woman, 22, because she has not been formally charged. Preliminary charges include two counts of battery by bodily waste, intimidation and battery against a public safety official engaged in official duty, all Level 6 felonies; and misdemeanor counts of resisting law enforcement; reckless driving; operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person; disorderly conduct; operating a vehicle while intoxicated; and possession of false identification.

She has bonded out of jail, according to online jail records.