Law and Order Porter County

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Updated: February 15, 2012 4:51PM

PINES

Speeding leads to pot, cocaine

An unemployed Michigan City man was arrested on several felony drug charges during a traffic stop at about 2 a.m. Wednesday on U.S. 520 in the Pines.

Police said the driver, Tabitha Fidanza, 30, also of Michigan City, was going 68 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. Police saw an open bottle of liquor on the floor and a pill bottle in the glove box when the passenger, later identified as Arthur Boyd, 44, opened it to look for the vehicle’s registration.

A search of the green 1997 Chevrolet Blazer led to police finding 110 grams of marijuana, 18 grams of what is suspected to be cocaine, 3 bags of suspected rock cocaine, plus a digital scale, numerous small plastic bags and other drug paraphernalia.

Boyd is charged with four felonies: dealing marijuana, possession of marijuana and a legend drug, and identity deception for allegedly giving a fake name. He also is charged with two misdemeanors and was wanted on warrants for leaving the scene of a crash, criminal recklessness and a parole violation. Additional charges may be filed once the white powder and rocks are officially identified.

Although she said she did not know drugs were in the vehicle, Fidanza was arrested on a felony charge of maintaining a common nuisance, police said.

SOUTH HAVEN

Police have warrant for 1, arrest 2

At about 1 p.m. Tuesday, police went to a home in the 700 block of Eagle Creek Road to find a man wanted on a warrant for failing to appear on a charge of driving with a suspended license. Instead, they found marijuana and a stolen street sign, and charged two of the wanted man’s relatives. Jacob Pappas, 20, was arrested for felony possession of marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Luke Pappas, 18, was not arrested but will be charged with felony theft and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

CHESTERTON

Woman passed out during battery

Adam Marzullo, 41, was arrested on charges of domestic battery and strangulation after an incident at about 9:50 p.m. Monday at the victim’s, in the 1500 block of Maximillian Drive. The victim told police she wanted to go to sleep, but Marzullo would not let her. Eventually she told him to pack some things and leave, this was followed by a fight in which Marzullo allegedly grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground until she briefly lost consciousness. The woman’s throat and the back of her head were injured, the latter from being knocked to the floor and losing consciousness a second time, police said. Marzullo said the woman fell on her own.

Batterer also threatened victim

Mark A. Skertich, 18, was arrested for domestic battery, intimidation and resisting law enforcement at about 9:30 a.m. Monday, for an incident at his apartment in the 1500 block of South Calumet Road. A woman in the apartment had red marks on her throat she said was from Skertich putting her in headlocks twice during an argument, and a cut on her hand from picking up glass from a lamp he broke, according to police. She said he threatened to kill her but, as soon as she called 911, Skertich apologized and left the apartment with a baseball bat.

Snow blower taken from garage

A Toro snow blower worth $400 was reported stolen between Feb. 4 and Monday from a garage in the 2600 block of Bogey Boulevard. There were no signs of forced entry, police said.

PORTAGE

Woman said she’d jump from car

Stephanie Gomez, 30, of Portage, was stunned by a Taser when she refused to stay buckled up in the back of a squad car when she was arrested for misdemeanor invasion of privacy. Police said Gomez broke out the window of a residence she was court-ordered to stay away from, and officers took her to Porter hospital for cuts to her hands before taking her to jail. After telling the officer driving that she intended to jump out of the vehicle while it was in motion, police said, Gomez took off her seat belt and refused to keep her feet on the floor. The officer used his Taser on her leg as he pulled to the shoulder of the road.