Law and Order Porter County

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Updated: February 26, 2012 8:14AM

VALPARAISO

Man, 73, accused
of battering host

A 73-year-old man who uses a wheelchair is homeless — or will be once he is released from jail — after allegedly battering the man who let him sleep on his couch.

Police were called to the apartment for a verbal disturbance in the 300 block of Union Street at about 5:10 p.m. Monday.

A 59-year-old tenant of the apartment angered Eugene Sheffer by putting a deodorizer on the couch in response to Sheffer’s alleged refusal to bathe since leaving a nursing home about a week earlier.

Sheffer was arrested for misdemeanor battery.

PORTER COUNTY

Man charged with
multiple felonies

An unlicensed driver allegedly made an illegal U-turn in front of a squad car then led a chase at up to 90 mph, crashed into a squad car and then was arrested on several felony charges.

The arresting officer told police he had to apply his brakes to avoid Francisco Ayala’s silver 2006 Toyota Corolla when it made its turn at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday at Meridian Road and U.S. 6.

Ayala is charged with driving despite being an habitual traffic violator, drunken driving with a prior conviction and resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, all felonies; and leaving the scene of a crash, a misdemeanor.

His blood-alcohol content was reported at 0.30 percent — more than three times the legal limit.

Pickup with plow reported stolen

A green 1999 Ford F-250 pickup with a 1-year-old red hydraulic plow on its front was reported stolen between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday from a Washington Township home, in the 300 block of East County Road 500N.

Meanwhile, a Portage YMCA badge that had been left in the vehicle was returned to the fitness center.

The loss was estimated at $5,000.