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 the store around 3:03 p.m. Surveillance footage shows him selecting grocery items, including a box of cereal and paper towels, before moving to the toy section.
Downey then allegedly took multiple sports trading card products, including:
-
One 24–25 Panini Select Basketball Mega Box valued at $59.99
-
Two Panini Mosaic Basketball Blaster boxes valued at $39.99 each
-
One Panini Select Premier League Soccer card box valued at $29.99
The total value of the merchandise was $169.96.
Police reported that Downey concealed the trading card boxes inside the cereal box, placed paper towels and other items back on shelves, and proceeded to the self-checkout area. He scanned and paid only for the cereal box, which appeared visibly opened, and exited without paying for the concealed items.
Asset protection staff attempted to contact Downey past all points of sale, but he refused to return and left the area. Surveillance footage and statements provided by store employees helped police confirm his identity. A license plate reader alert also flagged Downey due to prior theft-related incidents at Meijer locations.
Officers reviewed his criminal history and found a prior unrelated theft conviction, leading to enhanced charges.
Downey was booked into the LaPorte County Jail on January 6, 2026.
Charges filed December 15, 2025:
-
Theft – Level 6 Felony
-
Theft – Class A Misdemeanor