The South Bend Police Department is aware of a video circulating online, depicting our officers detaining a vehicle pursuit suspect Thursday night in South Bend. In the time since the video was posted to Facebook, our department has fielded multiple inquiries from residents who expressed concerns regarding whether the suspect was handcuffed during the events depicted in the clip. While the South Bend Police Department does not generally release body camera footage surrounding active criminal investigations, per the Chief, we are sharing a portion of our footage to maintain our transparency and to dispel some narratives we’ve observed on social media. We also want to share what occurred prior to the suspect being detained: On Thursday, January 8, around 6 p.m., South Bend Police observed a vehicle near Lincoln Way West and College Street that had fled a traffic stop the night before. A South Bend Police Officer then again attempted to stop the vehicle, which led to a brief pursuit. The suspect ultimately lost control of the vehicle and struck a parked vehicle near the intersection of LaSalle Avenue and Sycamore Street. At that time, officers ordered the driver out of the vehicle without compliance. Officers then attempted to physically detain the suspect, the suspect resisted, not allowing officers to control or utilize handcuffs. The suspect, 19-year-old Luis Hernandez-Lopez, was eventually handcuffed, taken into custody and transported to the hospital for evaluation; per policy and procedure when involving a vehicle crash. After receiving medical clearance, Hernandez-Lopez was transported to the St. Joseph County Jail. On Friday, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office filed the following charges against Hernandez-Lopez: ◼️ 35-44.1-3-1(a)/Level 6 Felony Resisting Law Enforcement-but Def. uses a vehicle. ◼️ Resisting Law Enforcement (Class A Misdemeanor) At the time of his arrest, Hernandez-Lopez also had an active warrant out of St. Joseph County. As with any instance of Use of Force, the South Bend Police Department’s Use of Force Committee and all other review procedures will evaluate all video, facts and evidence to ensure the responding officers acted in accordance with department policy. Please remember, all persons are presumed innocent until/unless convicted in a court of law. 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: The video in this post contains profanity. Viewer discretion is advised.