The man has been charged with two Level 6 felonies including felony theft and fleeing law enforcement. He is also charged with Class A misdemeanor theft, the Munster police officer said. The vehicle the suspects were driving was a rental.

Another prevalent and disturbing trend occurs at gas stations all along the Interstate 80/94 corridor from Illinois through Indiana involving lone female drivers, Strbjak said.

“The females are filling the gas tank and not paying attention to what’s going on around them. Vehicles pull alongside their cars and someone steals purses from the passenger side,” he said.

The latest such theft occurred just before noon Sunday at the Speedway gas station at 444 Ridge Road in Munster. The victim’s back was turned while she obtained a receipt at the gas pump, according to the police report.

“These are crimes of opportunity and because people are not taking steps to protect themselves,” Strbjak said. “(The perpetrators) prey on people.”

Crown Point Assistant Police Chief James Janda agreed.