Cops: Drunken driver clocked at 110 mph

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP | A Valparaiso man was arrested and faces criminal charges after police said he led officers on a chase early Wednesday.

Porter County Sheriff's Department officers said an officer on U.S. 30 near County Road 500 East clocked a pickup truck traveling 110 mph in a 60 mph zone about 3:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The officer activated his lights and siren and began following the truck, but the driver wouldn't stop investigators said. After crossing the LaPorte County line and traveling through Wanatah, the driver reportedly passed through a red light at U.S. 421 before eventually stopping.

An officer approached the pickup with his gun drawn and quickly handcuffed Anthony Pete, 24, of Valparaiso, authorities said.

Investigators said Pete smelled of alcohol and asked if he could go home.

After refusing field sobriety tests, Pete was found to have a blood alcohol level three times the 0.08 legal limit in Indiana, according to authorities.

A LaPorte County Sheriff's Department officer impounding the vehicle  also found a box with a metallic smoking pipe, police said.

Pete was arrested and taken to Porter County Jail. He faces charges of drunken driving, resisting law enforcement, possession of drug paraphernalia and reckless driving.