Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail (2024)

Porter County Council skeptical about leasing sheriff's building in Valparaiso

Porter County Council members don’t sound convinced on the Board of Commissioners plan to lease the 1860 sheriff’s residence.

Lowell woman, 22, dies in car crash in Hebron

A 22-year-old woman from Lowell was killed Friday in a single-vehicle crash in Hebron.

1 dead after SUV collides with firetruck in Pine Township

One person is dead after a Toyota Highlander collided with an antique firetruck around 2 p.m. Saturday on US 20/520.

Plane crashes into field in Morgan Township on Monday

A male pilot landed a 2013 Lanceair ES plane into a rural field in Morgan Township on Monday evening after experiencing engine trouble.

Indiana appeals court affirms convictions in fatal Valparaiso stabbing

A Valparaiso man convicted of felony murder for the fatal stabbing of his accomplice during their attempted robbery of a drug dealer's apartment received a fair trial.

Chesterton Police Commission approves use of drones in CPD

The Chesterton Police Commission unanimously voted to approve a Standard Operating Procedure for the use of drones at its meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Porter County tackles substance abuse issues at seminar

A substance abuse treatment seminar was held on Wednesday at the Porter County Sheriff's Department to provide an explanation of substance abuse and available treatment.

Motorcyclist dies in crash on US 20 in Chesterton Sunday

A fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Sunday evening off of US Highway 20 and Brummitt Road in Chesterton.

Porter Township man arrested after stabbing at Valpo Planet Fitness

At approximately 9 a.m. on Sunday morning police responded to the gym, after receiving a call of a man who had sustained a knife wound.

Motorist dies in single-vehicle accident in Liberty Township

A motorist died on Friday following a single-vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday evening in Liberty Township.

Valparaiso City Utilities Dept. issues boil advisory

The Valparaiso City Utilities issued a boil advisory on Friday afternoon after a water main break occurred at 952 Ransom Road.

Portage police seeking assistance to find donation jar thief

Portage police are seeking help from the public to identify a man who has been involved in the theft of two children's hospital donation jars at Speedway's in Portage.

Woman hit by car in Jewel parking lot, Chesterton police say

A 42-year-old woman was struck by a hit and run driver in Jewel's parking lot on Wednesday afternoon in Chesterton, police said in a news release.

Suspect in custody for hit-and-run at Jewel, police say

Douglas Poole was arrested in connection to a hit-and-run that left a pedestrian injured in the parking lot of Jewel in Chesterton on Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Six-and-a-half acres burned in brush fire in Liberty Township

Approximately six and a half acres were burned in a brush fire on Wednesday near 700 North and 50 West in Liberty Township.

Woman dead after single-vehicle crash in Valpo, police say

A woman died in a single-vehicle accident after striking a tree in a ditch at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday in Valparaiso, the Porter County Sheriff's Office reported.

High levels of CO discovered at Electro Seal, Chesterton fire said

High levels of carbon monoxide were detected at Electro Seal Corporation on Monday after an employee reported feeling sick, the Chesterton Fire Department said.

UPDATE: 68-year-old woman struck by vehicle dies, police say

A 68-year-old Portage woman who was struck by a Ford F-150 at approximately 6:43 p.m. Tuesday on Willowcreek Road in Portage has died, police said.

Chesterton road closing indefinitely, town officials say

North Mineral Springs Road between Planet Court and U.S. Highway 20 in Chesterton will close indefinitely on Friday, the Town of Porter said.

Pines bank robber awaiting execution dies in federal prison

Odell Corley, also known as Nasih Khalil Ra'id, was found unresponsive Friday morning at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana, officials said.

Fishermen find car crashed off I-94 in Portage with man inside, ISP says

Two men were walking along Salt Creek in Portage at approximately 3:45 p.m. Tuesday when they discovered a crashed vehicle beneath a bridge along Interstate 94, ISP said.

GoFundMe created to cover Matthew Reum's medical bills

A GoFundMe was created Wednesday to help cover Matthew Reum's medical expenses after he was trapped inside of his truck for nearly a week underneath a highway bridge.

Memorial Hospital releases statement on behalf of Matthew Reum

"No matter how tough things get, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes in the least expected way," Matthew Reum said.

Man strikes tree with car, then gets arrested on active warrant, cops say

Christopher Henderson, of Portage, was arrested on an active Illinois warrant for a felony charge after getting into a single-vehicle car crash Thursday, police said.

Walmart thief likes to get the '2 for 1' deal, police said

Scammer trying to collect donations for VFW, Kouts PD said

A man has recently been visiting businesses in Kouts claiming to be a member of the VFW who is collecting donations for the organization, Kouts police said.

Porter County Sheriff's Office introduce Project Safe Roads

"This program will partner with our citizens to help us identify roadways in Porter County that need extra traffic enforcement," sheriff Jeff Balon said.

GoFundMe created after Hobart man dies in car crash Monday morning

Justin Wallace, 41, of Hobart, died in a car crash on Monday morning in Porter County, police said.

Woman with meth caught trespassing in vacant Portage home, police say

Jamie Hall, 45, of Portage, was arrested Tuesday after being caught trespassing in a vacant home while possessing methamphetamine, Portage police said.

Abandoned residence engulfed in flames early Friday morning, police say

Porter police and fire responded to a report of an abandoned structure fire at approximately 1:04 a.m. Friday at Wabash Avenue and Johnson Beach Road, police said.

One in custody after person in Valpo is shot

A person is in police custody following a shooting onthe 350 block of South Locust Street in Valparaiso Friday afternoon.

DoorDash driver charged with OWI, Chesterton PD says

Chesterton police responded Monday morning to assist a 26-year-old man whose vehicle had run out of gas, but appeared to be intoxicated, police said.

Indiana appeals court sustains Portage child molesting conviction

The Indiana Court of Appeals has unanimously declined a Portage man's request to overturn his 2022 conviction for child molesting.

Motorist charged in connection to road rage incident, Chesterton PD says

Jay Harris, 32, of St. John has been charged with intimidation and pointing a firearm following a road rage incident that occurred Sunday in Chesterton, police said.

Porter County Sheriff's Office investigating death of 10-year-old

The Porter County Sheriff's Office are investigating the death of a 10-year-old juvenile who died on Thursday.

19-year-old charged with murder of Hammond man, documents say

Montrell McLauren Jr., 19, has been charged in connection to the death of 20-year-old Darion Anderson, who was shot and killed on Monday in Portage, court documents show.

Porter County seeks to fill vacant tourism board seat after president's resignation

County Commissioner Jim Biggs told The Times that he wants to revisit the requirements for tourism board appointments in order to ensure that the body includes more local businesspeople.

Portage police secure charges against Monday's homicide suspect

Montrell Mclaurin Jr. was taken into custody by police Thursday evening for the murder of Darion Anderson, police said.

Council president's comments on shooting divide Valpo community

Councilman Jack Pupillo was the sole vote against the city's Pride Month resolution, arguing that the city should avoid taking a stance on social issues.

Portage High School placed on high alert following unconfirmed threats

In an initial message sent to families, the school said their staff had received threatening phone calls and Portage police was investigating the threats.

Four-vehicle crash occurs on SR 49 in Chesterton on Wednesday

A motorist was injured in a four-vehicle chain-reaction crash Wednesday on State Road 49, the Chesterton Fire Department said.

Chesterton student arrested for alleged gun possession Tuesday, PD said

Chesterton police took a high school student into custody for the alleged possession of a handgun inside the student's vehicle on Tuesday, police said in a statement.

Chesterton High School student arrested for bringing gun on school property, police say

An 18-year-old Chesterton High School student has been charged in connection with an incident involving a handgun on school property, Chesterton police said.

Chesterton resident defrauded of $35,000 in Apple hack scam, police said

"She realizes that, most likely, the $35,000 is simply gone," the Chesterton Police Department said in a statement.

1 dead in vehicle vs. pedestrian crash in Union Township, police said

"Life-saving measures were attempted on the male pedestrians, but he tragically has passed away," the Porter County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Porter County Sheriff's Office warns citizens of scammer calls

The Porter County Sheriff's Office is warning citizens about scammers fraudulently claiming to be law enforcement officials.

UPDATE: Lanes cleared after I-94 westbound crash, INDOT says

A crash left two right lanes of Interstate 94 westbound blocked Friday evening, the Indiana Department of Transportation reported.

Police warn Porter County residents of hot air balloon festival scam

Officials said there will not be a hot air balloon festival taking place on June 28 at the Porter County Expo Center, and that it is a scam.

Chesterton Police Department concludes vandalism investigation

Three juveniles have been charged in relation to a series of spray paint vandalism incidents that occurred between June 3 and June 6, Chesterton police said.

Portage murder trial to begin this week after 2 delays

Richard Cooley is accused of murdering his wife, 47-year-old Dana Cooley, during the morning of Feb. 13, 2023, officials say.

Yet another man nabbed in Valpo on allegations of seeking sex with a child, police say

The accused said he was at the site to meet the girl "and to see if he was being scammed or not," police said.

Portage hotel fire sends 2 to hospital, officials say

Search crews reportedly woke up several of the guests and removed them from the building.

Porter County foster child's death ruled a homicide, officials say

The child died after being taken April 27 to Memorial Hospital from a home in Liberty Township in Porter County, officials said.

Porter County toddlers found playing in road while dad slept, police say

"The place was overall uninhabitable," according to police.

New, more severe charges filed in fatal domestic case that once pitched no jail time

New, more severe charges, filed in Porter County fatal domestic abuse case that had plea for no jail time until judge rejected the proposal.

Passenger airlifted Friday after vehicle pulled in front of her on U.S. 20, Porter County police say

Police said they were called to the crash site around 7 a.m. Friday and learned the CRV was southbound on Brummitt Road when the driver apparently ignored the stop sign and pulled into the path of the westbound vehicle.

'Nurse' claiming to find fire at patient's Porter County home charged with arson, cops say

Police said a dog found in her vehicle was later reported stolen from another nearby home.

Vigilante group helps nab another man allegedly seeking sex with child, Valpo police say

This is at least theseventh arrestof this nature since September attributed to the vigilante group.

Woman claiming to be nurse at time of arson had earlier entered Portage-area home, cops say

"(The young resident) stated that she woke up to her dog growling and her bedroom door opening," according to the arrest report.

Porter County man threatens mom, children over Facebook sale gone bad, police say

"You think you're getting away from this think again (expletive) I'll come for your kids."

Jury left with opposing views of wife's fatal shooting in Portage

While admitting his client pointed a gun as charged, a defense attorney said the accused did not knowingly or intentionally pull the trigger.

Jury out nearly 10 hours before finding Portage man guilty of murdering wife, court says

Defense attorney Russell Brown Jr. made a failed attempt to convince jurors of Richard Cooley's claim that theFeb. 13, 2023shooting was an accident.

Man tried to lure child to Valpo playground to smoke pot, have sex, cops say

The accused reportedly sent photos and then turned the conversation sexual even though he thought he was chatting with a 13-year-old girl, police said

Driver taking 2nd shot at guilty plea in OWI death case

The judge rejected an earlier plea agreement in the case three months ago without comment.