Police: Theft arrest may be connected to burglaries
By Michelle L. Quinn Post-Tribune correspondent December 23, 2012 7:48PM
Nathan Kiaurakis
Updated: December 23, 2012 7:59PM
PORTER TWP. — Porter County Sheriff’s Police are investigating whether a Lake Eliza man arrested for theft early Saturday morning is connected to several area burglaries.
Nathan Kiaurakis, 24, was seen by officers around 2:18 a.m. Saturday parked near Cherrywood Lane and Split Rail Court and crouching down in his Jeep, Porter County Sheriff Public Information Officer Sgt. Larry LaFlower said. The officer circled back around to where Kiaurakis was parked and found footprints in the snow.
The footprints led to Kiaurakis hiding among some trees next to a vehicle in a driveway. When confronted by the officer, he fled, LaFlower said.
Kiaurakis was taken into custody after a brief chase and struggle with the arresting officer. He was charged with three counts of theft, attempted theft, and resisting law enforcement after a search of his Jeep revealed stolen items.
The department has instituted extra patrols in the Center and Porter Twp. areas since Nov. 28th; more than 20 thefts from vehicles and residential burglaries have been reported since that date, LaFlower said.
He reminded residents to lock their vehicles at all times and not to leave any valuables in their vehicles as well as to call in any suspicious vehicles or persons in their neighborhoods at (219) 477-3000.
