Gary Man Arrested Near Wanatah on Drug Charges

Kyle Burgess

Suspicious activity in a Wanatah church parking lot led to a Gary man being arrested on drug charges Wednesday morning. A LaPorte County Sheriff’s Deputy spotted two vehicles parked at the Christian Church of Wanatah around 7:45 a.m., with one person outside.

When the officer pulled into the area, both vehicles reportedly took off. He followed one of them down U.S. 30 and stopped the vehicle at the Porter/LaPorte County Line after an alleged traffic violation.

The driver, Kyle Burgess, 23, of Gary, was taken into custody for driving without a license. While speaking to Burgess, the officer noticed the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A search allegedly turned up a small amount of marijuana, two syringes, narcotics paraphernalia, and a small amount of what police suspect is crystal methamphetamine.

Burgess was taken to the LaPorte County Jail on multiple charges. He’s scheduled to appear in LaPorte Circuit Court on Friday.