This map shows where the chase ended.

News Release

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man was arrested Friday, Dec. 10, in connection with a Noble County burglary, following a lengthy chase with police.

Brad Lee Niles Jr., 37, Syracuse, is facing charges of residential burglary, resisting law enforcement – vehicle fleeing, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and larceny/theft warrant, all felonies; and misdemeanor criminal recklessness.

According to the Indiana State Police, Niles was arrested following a half-hour-long vehicle pursuit around the northeast corner of Kosciusko County and western Noble County.

At approximately 9 a.m. Friday, a 911 call came into the Noble County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center, reported a burglary in the 1900 block of North County Road 900 West, southeast of Cromwell. Two teenagers were home alone and told a dispatcher that their front door had just been kicked in, and the suspects were still inside the home.

Responding Fort Wayne District troopers and Noble County Sheriff’s deputies were on scene in about 5-6 minutes, but the suspects had already fled the scene. Officers secured the residence and ensured that the teens were safe. Home security camera footage captured a view of the two suspects along with the suspect vehicle, which appeared to be a black early 2000s Chevrolet Suburban or Tahoe.

A photo of the suspect vehicle was quickly relayed to surrounding police agencies, and within two hours, a Ligonier Police Department officer reported having found the vehicle, a black 2001 GMC Yukon, at a residence on Robinhood Road near Lake Wawasee in Kosciusko County.

Before officers could make contact at the Robinhood Road residence, a man matching the burglary suspect’s description drove off from the residence. When troopers attempted to conduct a felony traffic stop, the suspect sped off,  initiating the vehicle pursuit.

Officers from multiple agencies, including troopers from the Fort Wayne and Bremen posts, Noble and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s departments and Ligonier and Syracuse Police Departments, were involved in the pursuit. Together they were able to end the chase on East Hatchery Road near Eagle Trail, at the southwest area of Lake Wawasee.

The suspect, Niles, was taken into custody without further incident. Niles was alone in the vehicle during the pursuit. He was taken to the Noble County Jail, where he was booked on several related charges. He was also wanted on an outstanding felony warrant out of Elkhart County for theft-related charges.

As of Friday night, police were still working to identify and locate a woman involved in the burglary.