Porter County Courts
May 25, 2012 3:06PM
Porter County
2 men accused of burglary at Valpo-area home
Two men have been charged with the April 16 burglary of a home outside Valparaiso after Gary police responded to a report of them having guns at a Gary gas station.
Those guns were stolen from the house where Matthew S. Watson, 30, allegedly kicked the door to steal three guns, two televisions, two video games systems, a laptop and jewelry.
Watson, of Gary, has been charged with Class B felony burglary, and General Morgan, 24, of Chicago, has been charged with Class B felony aiding in a burglary. Both face six to 20 years in prison.
Morgan allegedly told police that Watson drove his truck to an address he knew and said he needed to talk to someone, but when Morgan went around back to see what was up, he found Watson burglarizing the place. Police found other items stolen from the home in the vehicle.
Charges add up for accused gas station burglar
The Porter County Prosecutor’s office has charged a man in custody in Lake County with the June 6 armed robbery of a Hobart Speedway gas station, and the man is suspect in the June 5 robbery on a Valparaiso Speedway.
Court documents provided no age or address for Jason Ballard on the Class B robbery charge, except to indicate he’s in custody in Lake County Jail.
He allegedly admitted to the robberies during police interviews on March 27 and 28, saying he committed them with other men who haven’t been charged yet.
Man accused of battery for hitting child
A Hebron man faces up to three years in jail for allegedly hitting a 3-year-old so hard it bruised her back, buttocks and upper leg.
John M. Schvitema, 29, is charged with Class D felony battery with a victim under 14. Schvitema allegedly hit the child with an open hand on April 7.
The Porter County Jail automated system doesn’t list him as a prisoner, and bond was set at $1,000.
Water heater theft leads to hot water
The alleged theft of a water heater for scrap in Portage may cost a Hammond man up to three years in prison.
Jose Duran-Acuna, 26, allegedly took the water heater from a residence on May 3, which has led to a Class D felony theft charge.
