Kovin Thomas Bell Jr., of Gary, is facing multiple felony charges after a traffic stop escalated into a police pursuit that ended in a crash, leaving a 17-year-old front-seat passenger with serious injuries. According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident happened on January 7, 2026, around 10:00 a.m. near 15th Avenue and Broadway in … Read more
Joseph Daniel Martin, 39, of Syracuse, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly threatening and battering two people. Martin faces charges including: Intimidation with a deadly weapon (Level 5 felony) Battery resulting in moderate bodily injury (Level 6 felony) Battery resulting in bodily injury (Class A misdemeanor) According to court documents, the incidents … Read more
A 24-year-old Crown Point man died in a motor vehicle accident Tuesday night, the Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed. Coroner investigators were dispatched around 10:50 p.m. on January 6, 2026, to the 6900 block of East 97th Avenue in Crown Point (Merrillville) after reports of a serious crash. A vehicle had left the roadway and … Read more
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office pursuit ended in a serious crash near 9th Avenue and Ralston Street in Gary when the fleeing suspect’s vehicle collided head-on with a sheriff’s squad car, according to Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. Multiple medics and fire crews responded to the scene for extrication. A female passenger in the … Read more
Timothy Jerome Lewis, 44, of Michigan City, faces a Level 2 felony charge after prosecutors allege he conducted a cocaine transaction at Hansen Park. Court documents state the incident occurred on July 25, 2025, around 3:31 p.m. Lewis is accused of arranging and carrying out the delivery while at the park. Investigators say Lewis arrived … Read more
Gregory Alan Downey, 44, of LaPorte, faces felony and misdemeanor theft charges following a shoplifting incident at a Meijer store in Michigan City. According to court records, Michigan City Police were dispatched on November 24, 2025, to the Meijer store at 5150 Franklin Street for a reported theft. Store asset protection personnel observed Downey enter … Read more
Jeremy Cyle-Henry Coble, 33, is facing a felony charge following an investigation into the alleged theft of a boom lift connected to a reported repossession in Lowell. Court records show that Lowell Police were dispatched on May 28, 2025, to Tri-Creek Rentals regarding a reported theft of a 2022 JLG T350 35-foot boom lift valued … Read more
Ross Holden Malott, 37, of Warsaw, was arrested on Dec. 26, 2025, following allegations that he battered and threatened women, according to court documents. Malott faces multiple charges, including domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor), domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, domestic battery with a prior conviction, and intimidation (all Level 6 felonies), as well … Read more
Robin Michelle Smith, 41, of Syracuse, has been sentenced to a total of five years in Kosciusko County Jail for drug dealing and identity deception, according to court records. Smith pleaded guilty to dealing a narcotic drug, a Level 5 felony, and identity deception, a Level 6 felony. A separate narcotic possession charge was dismissed … Read more
Indiana legislative Democrats on Monday, Jan. 5 proposed a series of measures aimed at easing the financial pressures on families facing rising costs for utilities, housing, medical care, and child care. House and Senate Democrats called for repealing the state’s 7% sales tax on residential utility bills and increasing funding for state child care programs. … Read more