Hobart, IN – A police pursuit tied to a reported shoplifting incident at Southlake Mall ended with a crash and arrest Tuesday evening, impacting traffic and drawing a significant law enforcement response in Lake County.
According to the Hobart Police Department, officers responded around 4:57 p.m. on April 19, 2026, to a report of shoplifting in progress at the mall. Police say they located the suspect vehicle, but the driver allegedly refused to stop, leading officers on a pursuit northbound on Mississippi Street. The chase ended in the 6300 block after the suspect reportedly ran off the road and crashed.
Authorities say the suspect then fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by a Hobart Police K9 unit. Officers reportedly recovered suspected narcotics and a handgun from the vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Steven Riley, 34, of Alsip, Illinois, was taken into custody. According to police, Riley also had an active warrant out of Cook County, Illinois.
Riley faces multiple charges, including dealing cocaine, several counts of cocaine possession, unlawful carrying of a handgun, resisting law enforcement, theft, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving. Police say some charges are classified as felonies, while others are misdemeanors.
The incident caused brief disruptions along Mississippi Street as officers secured the scene and conducted their investigation.
Authorities have not released additional details about the initial shoplifting report or whether any injuries occurred during the pursuit and crash.
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