Items taken from Crown Point home quickly found in Gary
By Lori Caldwell lcaldwell@post-trib.com|648-3258 September 20, 2012 4:12PM
Updated: October 22, 2012 6:23AM
GARY — Police here returned war memorabilia and an extensive coin collection Wednesday to a Crown Point couple hours after they discovered the items missing.
Three Gary residents are in custody facing charges stemming from their arrest in Brunswick and the discovery of the stolen goods.
Crown Point Deputy Chief Jim Janda said his detectives will pursue an investigation into the burglary of the victims’ Liberty Park home, which occurred while they were out of town for several days this month.
Crime Suppression Unit Patrolman Demonte Yanders was near 6th Avenue and Burr Street about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday and noticed that people were approaching a parked blue SUV, then walking away after a few minutes.
Suspecting drug activity, Yanders called for backup.
Patrolmen Jeff Hemphill and Kwata Osborne assisted in approaching the three occupants. Police smelled marijuana from inside the car and detained the driver Kenneth C. Brooks Jr., 21, and passengers Marquita Taylor, 24, and Brion T. Harris, 29.
As they searched the occupants and SUV, police found more than 11 grams of marijuana.
In a bank bag were several sets of coins, military medals and checks belonging to the victims.
All three were arrested pending charges of possession of stolen property and possession of marijuana. Harris was wanted on a warrant from Tippecanoe County. Brooks was also charged with possession of a switchblade knife.
Janda said the victims returned home Wednesday and discovered the break-in. A short time later, they learned Gary police had recovered their coins and other valuables.
