Criminal charges filed against man accused of fleeing court in South Bend

South Bend Tribune Staff Report

SOUTH BEND -- A man who allegedly fled from court to avoid going to jail last month is now facing three criminal charges for the incident.


Hakeen Hogan, 19, has been on the run from police since Sept. 30, when he allegedly escaped from St. Joseph County Traffic and Misdemeanor Court after tussling with police officers.

He now faces one count of escape, a Class B felony; one count of resisting law enforcement by flight, a Class D felony; and resisting law enforcement by struggling, a Class A misdemeanor.

Hogan was in court that morning for possession of marijuana. When the judge told him he needed to post $750 bond or be taken into custody, Hogan allegedly took off.

He escaped the grasp of two St. Joseph County police officers who tried to restrain him as he ran out of the downtown building, according to court documents. One officer injured his knee in the chase, according to court documents.

Police consider Hogan a danger to the community. Last year, Hogan and four others were charged in the robbery, beating and carjacking of two Holy Cross College students.

Though his co-defendants were convicted and are serving lengthy prison terms, prosecutor dismissed charges against Hogan because his co-defendants refused to testify against him, according to court documents.

A Class B felony conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; a Class D, 3 years.

A Class A misdemeanor conviction carries a maximum of one year in jail.

For more information on these matters, please call our office at 305 548 5020.

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