Porter County Law and Order
August 29, 2012 2:48PM
PORTAGE
Suspended driver steals SUV to go buy heroin
A 22-year-old man was arrested after allegedly stealing a family member’s vehicle. Police stopped James Rasch, 22, at about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday for speeding on U.S. 20, and reportedly found a hypodermic needle.
When the officer called the owner of a wallet found in the black 2004 Chevrolet Blazer, a different relative answered the phone and immediately asked, “What is he driving ’cause he doesn’t have a car or license?” The owner of the SUV, a 45-year-old Portage woman, said she does not let Rasch drive it.
Rasch, who is charged with felony auto theft, felony possession of a hypodermic needle and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, reportedly told police he was driving to get heroin and needles.
Man and teen girl caught shoplifting
Zachery Miller, 23, of rural Valparaiso, and a 17-year-old female from Union Township were charged with felony theft for an incident at about 7:10 p.m. Tuesday at Wal-Mart, 6087 U.S. 6. The pair allegedly stole a compact disc, a DVD set and collectible cards, worth $71.79 all together.
PORTER COUNTY
Thieves, vandals target Rogers Lakewood Park
Overnight Monday, an unknown person broke into the admission booth at Rogers Lakewood Park, 5320 Meridian Road, police said. The cash registered was damaged, but no money had been left inside.
Last week, a shed at the park was damaged by someone who stole a number of Frisbee golf discs, which have been targets for prior thefts as well. The gate at the park’s vehicle entrance is locked at night, but people often access the park after hours from a walking bridge on the southwest side of the park, employees told police.
VALPARAISO
Police raising funds with chicken dinner
The Valparaiso Police Department’s Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 76 will be hosting a chicken plate fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday in the Kmart parking lot, 2801 Calumet Ave. All money raised will benefit local organizations and events. Chicken will cost $7 and potatoes will be $3.
