Updated News Release-Suspect from Earlier Incident Flees Hospital, Detained, 9.22.26

Update: Suspect from Earlier Incident Flees Hospital, Detained

Update, 9/22/26 at 1:50 p.m.: Following this morning’s original news release and after further medical evaluation, Elkhart Police Department (EPD) officers learned that the male subject involved in this morning’s incident would require an extended period of medical treatment due to pre-existing medical conditions.

Based on the subject’s extensive medical needs and the expectation that his treatment would be ongoing, officers made the determination to release him from police custody so he could receive the necessary medical care at the hospital. At the time, officers had no information indicating that the subject posed an immediate threat to the public.

Rather than maintaining the subject in police custody at the hospital for an indefinite period while receiving medical treatment, EPD made the decision to proceed with an out-of-custody charging process. Officers began preparing a criminal case packet and warrant request for submission to the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office for review and consideration of appropriate charges.

After being released from police custody, officers were notified at approximately 12:23 p.m. that the male subject had fled Elkhart General Hospital (600 East Boulevard) on foot while still attached to medical equipment. EPD officers immediately responded and located the subject near S. Highland Avenue and W. Lexington Avenue.

The subject failed to comply with officers’ commands. Officers deployed a Taser and chemical irritant in an effort to gain compliance and safely take the subject into custody. Officers successfully detained the subject at approximately 12:31 p.m.

Elkhart Fire Department medics evaluated the subject at the scene and transported him back to the hospital for continued medical treatment.

Based on the totality of the circumstances and the subsequent events, the subject was placed under arrest on preliminary charges of Criminal Trespass; four (4) counts of Resisting Law Enforcement; Public Indecency; and Theft in connection with both incidents. He will remain in EPD custody at the hospital pending medical clearance. Once medically cleared, he will be transported to the Elkhart County Jail.

No other injuries were reported.

The Elkhart Police Department will provide additional information as it becomes available and as it can be released consistent with the ongoing investigation and applicable law. Please be advised that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Original Release, 9.22.26 at 10:40 a.m.:

A 38-year-old man is in custody after looking in school windows and jumping in the river to evade Elkhart Police Department officers.

Today, September 22, 2026, at approximately 8:49 a.m., the Elkhart City 911 Communications Center received a 911 call reporting a suspicious male subject that had jumped a perimeter fence and was looking in windows at Beardsley Elementary School (1027 McPherson St, Elkhart). Elkhart City Police Department officers dispatched to the area and arrived shortly thereafter. Officers attempted to make contact with the male subject, who fled on foot. During the foot pursuit, the suspect jumped into the St. Joseph River in the 900 block of E. Beardsley Ave and hid under a boat. EPD officers gave several commands for the suspect to exit the river before deploying pepper ball chemical irritants to try and gain his compliance. Officers were able to pull him out of the water, where he further resisted being detained.

Elkhart Fire Department Water Rescue and medics were also on the scene and provided assistance. Medics evaluated the suspect at the scene and took him to the hospital for medical clearance, where he remains in custody on preliminary charges in connection with this incident. We will release the suspect’s name if and when an Elkhart County judicial officer finds probable cause for this arrest. No other injuries were reported during this incident.

EPD officers worked closely with the school and ECS security personnel during this investigation. The school was placed on lockdown during the incident, and the male subject did not make entry into the school. Out of an abundance of caution, officers made a secondary sweep of the school area and did not locate any weapons or anything of immediate safety concern. There is believed to be no further threat to the public.

Please be advised that under Indiana law an individual is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

<end>