Three arrested after $60k tool heist leads to high-speed chase in South Bend

Three men have been arrested following an early morning burglary at the Hilti Distribution Center in South Bend, Indiana, where over $60,000 in stolen tools were recovered. The incident began around 5:45 a.m. when police responded to a triggered alarm at the business located on Olive Road.

Upon arrival, officers spotted a U-Haul truck leaving the warehouse. The truck's erratic driving prompted police to initiate a traffic stop, which quickly escalated into a pursuit along U.S. 20. The chase ended when the vehicle crashed at U.S. 20 and Rosewood Road in St. Joseph County.

After the crash, the three suspects, identified as 26-year-old Marquell Strickland, 22-year-old Darvel Grady, and 22-year-old Areon Halloway, fled the vehicle into a nearby wooded area but were subsequently apprehended by law enforcement.

The stolen tools, reported to be valued at just over $61,000, were found inside the U-Haul truck. The suspects are currently awaiting formal charges from the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Office.

The South Bend Police Department's Property Crimes Unit is continuing its investigation into the burglary and pursuit, ensuring that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined.