Law and Order Porter County
July 17, 2012 4:02PM
Updated: July 17, 2012 5:32PM
VALPARAISO
Two teen girls accused of auto theft
Two teen girls were arrested for allegedly stealing a gold 1994 Oldsmobile early Tuesday morning.
An unknown person sent police a tip at about 3 a.m., saying the girls, ages 14 and 15, were in a stolen vehicle and possibly headed to an apartment building in the 1100 block of Evans Avenue. Officers were waiting when the girls, both from Valparaiso, showed up in the stolen car at 3:43 a.m. They were arrested in the parking lot.
Both were charged with felony auto theft. The 15-year-old also was charged with driving without a license and possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors, police said.
The car was stolen earlier in the night from a parking lot in Valparaiso.
Golf clubs and old model Buick stolen
A gray 1987 Buick Riviera was reported stolen between 3 p.m. Saturday and 8:20 a.m. Sunday, from a parking lot in the 1700 block of Valparaiso Street. With a set of golf clubs and a car seat in the vehicle, the loss is estimated at $5,210.
TVs stolen from unlocked apartment
Three television sets, worth $2,300 all together, were reported stolen between 8 p.m. Friday and 6:30 a.m. Saturday from an unlocked apartment in the 900 block of Jefferson Street.
PORTAGE
Drunken driver stuck on railroad tracks
Kevin Dodge, 51, of South Bend, was arrested for felony drunken driving after getting his gray 2002 Mercury minivan stuck at about 3:50 a.m. Saturday on railroad tracks at Waverly Road and Lincoln Street. Dodge had a prior drunken driving conviction.
Admitted marijuana dealer arrested
Three people were arrested after a party featuring alcohol and marijuana got out of control at about 1:40 a.m. Tuesday, in the 6500 block of American Way.
Resident and party host Cortney Stutler, 21, told police several men started arguing in the front yard; they fled on foot when police arrived. Caleb Serrano, 22, of Portage, was arrested for fleeing law enforcement, public intoxication and visiting a common nuisance; Matthew Ortiz, 21, of Portage, was arrested for visiting a common nuisance and public intoxication.
Police also confiscated Stutler’s marijuana — she reportedly told police she sells .25 to .5 pounds a month — and approximately $500 she said was earned from the sales. She was arrested on several felony charges: maintaining a common nuisance, dealing marijuana and possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana; also for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
PORTER COUNTY
7 vehicles’ tires damaged by nails
Tires of three vehicles belonging to Aqua Indiana Inc. and four belonging to employees were damaged by roofing nails. According to the police report, it is believed that overnight Sunday, someone threw the nails over a chain link fence around the business, at 305 W. County Road 700N.
Fish tank damaged in home break-in
North of Valparaiso, an unknown person broke a window between 10 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday in the 4500 block of Claussen Lane. Once inside, according to the police report, the culprit slashed an upholstered chair and damaged a fish tank and an electric guitar. No one was at home. Damages are estimated at $275.
Man hides following drunken driving crash
James Bogash, 27, of Lake Eliza, was arrested for misdemeanor drunken driving and leaving the scene of a crash. Police said after finding an unoccupied orange pickup crashed into a utility pole at about 1:40 a.m. Monday, in the area of County Roads 250S and 600W, officers found Bogash nearby. He complained of knee and shoulder pain.
CHESTERTON
Man throws tricycle at his ex-wife
Charles Escoe, 40, of Portage, was arrested for felony domestic battery at about 10:40 a.m. Monday as he left his ex-wife’s home, in the 1000 block of Kathryn Court. Escoe was invited to the 34-year-old woman’s home to pick up a piece of his property, but they argued and Escoe allegedly threw a child’s plastic tricycle, striking her. Three children, ages 4, 5 and 11, witnessed the fight, police said.
