Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail (2025)

Gary man pleads guilty to illicit possession of shotgun

Michael Davis pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court to a weapon’s violation arising from his arrest last year during a domestic dispute.

Lake County commissioners sink sheriff's request for new Lake Michigan patrol boat

The sheriff is seeking to spend $860,802.47 to purchase a 38-foot long by 12-foot wide full cabin patrol boat, designed to withstand the rigors of Lake Michigan.

Appeals court affirms triple murder conviction in 1998 Hammond slayings

A Whiting man convicted last year and sentenced to 180 years in prison for his role in a 1998 Hammond triple murder received a fair trial, according to the Court of Appeals.

Judge strikes down Indiana law that disarmed Lake County sheriff

A judge has struck down a portion of a state law that prevented Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr., and all individuals under indictment, from carrying a handgun in public.

Indiana appeals court affirms murder conviction where victim was lured to Gary

Jason "Lafa" Hinton, 27, was sentenced to 63 years for murder, plus an 18 year firearm enhancement, for a total of 81 years in prison.

Lake County shifting funds to cover public safety overtime expenses

Understaffed Lake County public safety services are preparing to shift money in their budgets to cover larger than expected employee overtime expenses.

Cedar Lake man, 53, dies in car crash in Winfield Township

A 53-year-old man from Cedar Lake was killed Sunday in a single-vehicle crash in Winfield Township.

Lake County Council honors jail staff for fast fire response

No one was injured in the fire that jail staff put out before firefighters arrived. Records show the damage to the jail lobby totaled between $6,500 and $8,500.

Indiana appeals court shoots down request for shorter prison term

A Gary woman who shot her neighbor's pregnant sister in the thigh during an argument is entitled to no reduction in her four-year prison term, the Court of Appeals said.

Police, residents come together in first Community Night

The event gave residents the opportunity to directly ask questions to Merrillville Police administration and to learn how the Police Department operates.

Suspect wanted for questioning in battery incident, police say

Contact Detective Meyer at 219-769-3531 Ext 354 oremeyer@Merrillville.in.govwith information. Send anonymous tips toinvestigations@merrillville.in.gov.

Trial proceedings underway for Kouts man accused of raping his co-worker’s wife

Roger Mashburn, of Kouts, is on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting his coworker's wife in June 2020, according to court records. If convicted, the 29-year-old faces up to 16 years in prison.

Lawsuit filed against jail on behalf on incarcerated man who died from accidental choking in March

Donald Chatman Jr. 20, was found dead March 1 in his jail cell by jail staff. The lawsuit alleges he was on a hunger strike and was force-fed by jail employees, leading him to choke and die.

Bus from Hammond City Baptist School in Tuesday crashed on Dan Ryan; 6 students taken to hospital

Illinois State Police said officers responded to the accident, which occurred around 35th Street in the local lanes, at about 2:30 p.m.

Gary man imprisoned over firearms violation

Davis told police he had purchased the firearm only a week earlier off the street for $800 to protect his girlfriend.

Roger Mashburn, 29, of Kouts, is accused of sexually assaulting his co-worker's wife in June 2020, according to court records.

Man accused of setting fire to Lake County Jail lobby ‘misidentified,’ new man charged

The charges were dismissed because the “filing detective believes that Ryan Andrews was misidentified as the perpetrator of the crimes charged,” according to a motion to dismiss filed on Tuesday.

2 arrested and charged with armed robbery of Family Dollar store, police say

The suspects entered the store around 9:25 a.m. Monday at 500 W. Fifth Ave. and whipped out a handgun. They demanded money from the cashier, who obliged.

East Chicago man charged with drunken car wreck

Xavier Norris, 41, was charged on Thursday with failure of duty and intimidation, which are both level 6 felonies, as well as criminal recklessness and operating while intoxicated, which are both misdemeanors.

Bogus insurance agent pleads guilty to fraud

Marlon Underwood appeared Thursday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge John E. Martin to admit he stole money from one East Coast insurance firm.

'Party Bus' rolls over after crashing on I-65 south of Lowell

Troopers were dispatched at 9:10 a.m. to the crash site on northbound I-65 about 3 miles south of the Lowell exit and just north of the Kankakee River.

California man arrested for violating protective order, stalking woman

Tyler McHenry, 26, was charged with stalking, criminal confinement and invasion of privacy, which are Level 6 felonies; and a misdemeanor count of invasion of privacy.

Kouts man found not guilty of raping co-worker's wife in 2020

Roger Mashburn, 29, was charged in August 2020 with rape and battery, according to court records. Jurors deliberated for about two hours before returning with the not guilty verdict.

East Chicago man sentenced to 79 years for killing woman over $10

A jury found Kevin Varner, 51 guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and firearm enhancement.

Court documents: Puppy-mill suspect began operation 'a month' after starting probation for animal cruelty

Stevce Rajcinoski, 42, of Crown Point, was charged June 9 with 43 counts of animal-related offenses for a suspected puppy mill he operated in Rensselaer.

Harvey man arrested for firing weapon in Walmart parking lot, Lansing police say

Demitrus Ross, 21, fired his gun in the direction of another person Thursday, police said. The Cook County State's Attorney's Office filed felony charges against him for aggravated use of a firearm.