LaPorte Resident Arrested after Police Pursuit through LaPorte County and into Michigan

Mugshot of Johnson from a prior arrest in June of 2019. (photo provided by LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office)

A LaPorte resident was arrested, after a police pursuit through LaPorte County and into Michigan Thursday. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says Michigan City Police pulled over a vehicle driven by Lavidika S. Johnson, 34, around 2:15 Thursday morning.

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Wanted LaPorte County Man Arrested following Police Chase Sunday

A LaPorte County man wanted on suspicion of dealing in a controlled substance was taken into custody Sunday, but not before police say he tried to get away on a motorcycle and then checked into a Michigan City motel. LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies say they went to a home in the 3700 block of East County Road 100 South at about 6:15 p.m. to try to locate Tyler T. Lukac, 26.

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Trail Creek Man Surrenders Himself to Police

Gordon R. Gardner

A Trail Creek man suspected of aggravated battery turned himself into police on Friday, Nov. 3.

According to the Trail Creek Police Department, Gordon R. Gardner threw a bottle of alcohol at a female patron while he was a bartender at Decoy’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill in Trail Creek. The alleged incident that left the woman injured happened at 2:20 a.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 29. Continue reading

Indiana State Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting

Two Michigan City officers were involved in an off-duty shooting incident on Saturday afternoon.

According to an Indiana State Police report, the officers were working security at Franciscan Health in Michigan City when they were called to the parking lot for a family dispute. Thomas J. Walsh III, 46, of Michigan City, reportedly did not want to leave the passenger seat in a Ford F-150 pickup truck to seek medical assistance.

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Counterfeit $100 Bills Reported in LaPorte County

Counterfeit MoneyMerchants are urged to be on the lookout for counterfeit $100 bills. The Michigan City Police Department received several reports of two to four black females trying to pass bogus money at stores, restaurants and gas stations Thursday evening. Authorities have at least eight victims and are reviewing video footage in an attempt to identify the suspects. Continue reading

9th Annual Indiana Fallen Officer Blood Drive: Give a Little in Memory of those Who Gave it All

b100ddriveTwo local police stations are participating in the 9th annual Fallen Officer Blood Drive with a friendly competition. The La Porte County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Michigan Police Department in an effort to supply blood during a critical time in the year and raise awareness about the dangers police face every day on the job. Continue reading

LaPorte Police Participating Special Enforcement This Week

 
 

LaPorte County police will be stepping up patrols this week for a traffic safety project called “Operation Stop Arm”.

Sheriff’s deputies have partnered with Michigan City officers and Indiana State Police Troopers to make drivers more aware of school bus loading and unloading during this National School Bus Safety Week.

Driver who disregard stopped buses with stop arms extended and flashing lights can be cited on a Class A infraction of arm signal device: duty to obey. That carries a fine of up to $10,000. A driver can be arrested for a Class B misdemeanor offense of reckless driving if the driver recklessly passes a school bus while loading or unloading students. That offense carries up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

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LaPorte Police Investigate Burglary

 
 

LaPorte Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a burglary that occurred at a residence in the 8000 W. block of County Road 400 North.

The two suspects left the area on foot by the time the officers arrived at the scene Friday morning. One of the suspects was taken into custody who was found walking along the road. That suspect had an active arrest warrant.

A second suspect ran into a wooded area adjacent to Creek Ridge County Park, according to a news release. A K9 unit responded to the scene and a track was initiated.

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LaPorte County Courthouse Evacuated after Bomb Threat

 
 

A Michigan City man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly sending a bomb threat notice by mail to the LaPorte County clerk’s office.

The employee received a letter addressed to the clerk’s office delivered by the United States Postal Service. When she opened the envelope, she found a powdery substance and a letter, according to a news release. She immediately took the envelope and the contents to the courthouse security office.

The letter stated that explosives were located in or near the courthouse, as noted in the press release. With that, the courthouse was evacuated and a request was made for the assistance of the Michigan City Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, LaPorte County Hazardous Materials Team, Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County Emergency Management.

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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Scheduled This Weekend

Hazardous Household Waste trailerThe Lake Michigan Household Hazardous Waste District is conducting a collections event at the La Porte County Fairgrounds on Saturday Aug. 23rd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CT. Items that can be disposed of include, ammunition, flares, fireworks, aerosols, automotive supplies, batteries, corrosives, expired medications, mercury containing products, florescent tubes, thermometers, thermostats, paint, medical sharps, pesticides as well as other poisons, and waste fuels.  Continue reading

Arrest Made in LaPorte Shooting

Shirron Taylor
Shirron Taylor

A suspect has been arrested in a shooting incident at Ellian’s Pub on Michigan Avenue in LaPorte yesterday morning.

An intense investigation by the LaPorte City Police Department, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan City Police Department and the U.S. Marshal Service found evidence that led to the arrest of Shirron Taylor, 32.

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LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office Asking Burglary Victims to Reclaim Items

LaPorte County Sheriff's Department
La Porte County Sheriff’s Office
A string of residential burglaries in the LaPorte County area led police to conduct a raid that turned up a variety of electronics, including cellular telephones, handheld personal devices, laptops and even jewelry. Sgt. Andrew Hyneck with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office said they are still trying to identify the owners of the recovered property.

The propery was recovered on Nov. 26 at a residence in rural Coolspring Township through a search warrant. The investigation remains open and ongoing as a collaborative effort between the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan City Police Department. The goal remains to locate the victims and owners of the recovered property and return it to them.

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