Law and Order Lake County
October 11, 2012 4:06PM
Updated: November 13, 2012 6:25AM
Schererville
Juveniles go on a vandalism spree
Five juveniles have been charged with an early morning vandalism spree in the Foxwood Estates subdivision.
According to a police report, 15 residents of that neighborhood reported damages to their homes or vehicles that occurred early Sunday, Oct. 7.
Two residents had large landscaping rocks thrown through front picture windows and at least two residents had windows broken on their vehicles. One resident reported having their mailbox set on fire. Several other mailboxes were also reported damaged. Total damage is expected to exceed $5,000.
Four of the five juveniles admitted their involvement in each incident.
The juveniles were each charged with criminal mischief class D felony through Lake County Juvenile Court.
Officers Buc Weaver and Kevin Wagner assisted detectives in the investigation. Anyone with any additional information may contact Detective Cpl. Jeff Cook at 322-5000.
Lowell
Man gets probation for theft of stereo
A 20-year-old Lowell man was placed on probation for 18 months for theft.
Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr. ordered Russell Casillas to perform 20 hours of community service for each week he is unemployed for the first six months of his probation.
Casillas had been on probation for conversion for a little more than three months on May 20 when he stole a car stereo from a car parked near the Silver Bullet bar in Crown Point. Casillas was caught on surveillance footage.
Defense attorney Derrick Julkes said after Casillas was placed on probation, he decided to move in with a friend and experimented with cocaine for the first time.
Julkes said his client knows what he did was wrong.
Deputy prosecutor Michael Haynes argued for the maximum 18-month sentence outlined in the plea agreement.
Stefaniak said the fact that Casillas’ mother was in court supporting her son factored into his decision to take a chance on Casillas by placing him on probation. If Casillas complies with the terms of his probation, he can seek to have his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor.
The judge revoked Casillas’ probation for conversion and applied 98 days he spent in the Lake County Jail toward that sentence.
Hobart
Home burglar gets 6-year sentence
Lake Superior Court Judge Thomas Stefaniak Jr. sentenced a Brook man to six years for burglarizing a home in Hobart.
Jacob Alan Herron, 24, admitted he went through the front door of a home in the 100 block of Beverly Boulevard in Hobart with the intent to steal jewelry from the homeowner on May 20.
Stefaniak ordered two years to be served in the Indiana Department of Correction, followed by one year in Lake County Community Corrections and three years on probation.
