Man steals car from police who chased him

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A man accused of stealing a police car from an officer who was pursuing him has been arrested.

Authorities said a North Liberty police officer was pursuing a van Dec. 9 following a reported burglary in St. Joseph County when the driver bailed out near a church.

When the officer left his car and chased the man on foot, he circled around the church and stole the squad car, authorities said.

The officer had left the keys in the ignition and the engine was running, said North Liberty police Chief Steve Michael.

The man fled into LaPorte County at speeds over 100 mph and again eluded pursuit.

Investigators believe the man then broke into a home in LaPorte and called for a cab, but the dispatcher became suspicious and called police.

Police went to the home and surrounded it after finding the squad car in the garage, but the man was no longer there when officers entered the house.

Investigators believe he fled on a bicycle that was later found outside a YMCA in LaPorte.

Timothy Hurley, 35, of South Bend, was arrested Saturday in a mobile home park in Mishawaka after a woman reported a suspicious vehicle to police.

Hurley was being held without bond Tuesday on charges of trespassing and resisting law enforcement. He was expected to face burglary and other charges in LaPorte County.

--From wire reports