WANTED!

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY

March 25, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUSPECT CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED BATTERY

[EAST CHICAGO, IN]  On March 25, 2014, East Chicago Police filed one (1) count of Aggravated Battery (a class B felony), three (3) counts of Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (a class C felony each), one (1) count of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman (a class C felony), and three (3) counts of Domestic Battery on Elvin Lamar Buchanan (M/31) of East Chicago with the Lake County Prosecutor Office.  

The domestic violence incidents began last year starting in May of 2013.  Elvin, in a state of intoxication, began to argue with his wife, the victim, on several occasions, which on each occasion resulted in severe injury to the victim.  Elvin L. Buchanan is currently incarcerated at the Lake County Jail awaiting trial.

Sergeant Juan Beltran, a supervisor of the Criminal Investigation Division, stated, “This is a clear sign of domestic abuse that has gone on for awhile.  Victims of domestic violence need to file and pursue charges against their attacker.  They need to be aware of services that are available to them to help them identify the signs of a violent partner.  This in turn would help prevent future incidents of family violence to the victim and/or other members of the family before it results in injury, either physical, psychological, and/or death.  I cannot stress the importance of this matter for their safety.”  

Arrest of Timothy M. Pearson

The Region Stop Team today released the following information.

Arrest of Timothy M. Pearson

On Thursday, March 20^th, Region STOP Team members arrested Pearson, following a traffic stop in East Chicago, Indiana.  Pearson is a 35 year old black male and is a resident of East Chicago, Indiana.

At the time of the traffic stop, Pearson was found to be in possession of marijuana. An ensuing investigation resulted in the execution of a search warrant in the 4000 block of Grand Boulevard, East Chicago, Indiana.

During the execution of the search warrant, officers recovered approximately 16 pounds of suspected marijuana, drug packaging materials to include a scale and plastic bags, two firearms, one of which was determined to have been stolen and over $36,000 in United States Currency (USC).

The Region STOP Team had previously arrested Pearson in August of 2013 at which time he was found to be in possession of marijuana and USC. At that time, a search warrant was also issued in the 4000 block of Grand Boulevard (different location), which then resulted in the recovery of 11 pounds of marijuana, 2 handguns and approximately $12,000 USC.  

At the time of Pearson’s arrest on March 20^th, he was on bond awaiting disposition of the August 2013 arrest/charges. Additional charges are expected to be filled with the Lake County Prosecutors Office in regards to this latest arrest.

REGION STOP TEAM Press Release Date: March 19, 2014

REGION STOP TEAM

Press Release

Date:    March 19, 2014

Time:    5:00 pm

The Region Stop Team today released the following information.

Arrest of Anthony Polk

On Tuesday, March 19^th, Region STOP Team members were patrolling in Gary, Indiana when they conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle for an infraction.  At that time they identified the driver of the vehicle to be Anthony Polk, a black male, 22 years of age and a resident of Gary, Indiana.  The vehicle was also occupied by a female.

The officers determined that Polk’s drivers license was suspended.  During their discussion with Polk, the officers were able to detect a strong odor of marijuana from the vehicle. The officers were also able to observe a clear plastic bag containing a white powder substance on the passenger floor board.  Additional suspected crack cocaine and heroin was also discovered during this investigation.

In total, .9 grams of powder cocaine; 3.4 grams of crack cocaine and 1.8 grams of heroin was recovered, all of which followed a traffic stop.  

Polk was taken into custody and on March 20^th, the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office charged Polk with Dealing in cocaine (A); Possession of heroin with the intent to distribute (B); Possession of cocaine (C) and Possession of a controlled substance (D)

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Arrest of Darnell J. Oscar

On March 17^th, Region STOP Team officers responded to the 4000 block of Main Street, East Chicago, in regards to a possible robbery taking place at the Family Dollar Store.

As the officers approached, an East Chicago Police Officer was in the process of approaching two suspects, who were believed to be involved in the matter.

One of the suspects (Darnell J. Oscar) ran from the officer and he was then pursued by both East Chicago and Region STOP Team officers.  As the officers caught up to Oscar, he removed a dark colored semi automatic handgun from his waistband and threw it to the ground.  The subject then refused commands by the officers and a struggle ensued.

During the struggle, Officer Joseph Martinez, a Hammond Police Officer assigned to the Region STOP Team, received minor injuries.  Following the arrest, Oscar proceeded to verbally threaten Officer Martinez and related charges have been filed. In addition, the weapon that Oscar threw to the ground was found to be loaded and the weapon’s serial numbers had been obliterated. 

On March 18^th the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office charged Oscar with 5 felony charges; Possession of an altered handgun (C); Carrying a handgun without a license

(C); Resisting Law Enforcement (D); Battery resulting in bodily injury (D) and Intimidation (D).  

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Arrest of Carlos Spikes and Robert Fitzgerald

On March 11^th Region STOP Team members were patrolling in Gary when they stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction near 10^th and Taft Street.  An occupant of the vehicle was identified as Carlos Spikes, 26 years of age, who was found to have an outstanding felony drug related arrest warrant on file.  The arrest warrant had been issued in 2009 and Spikes was taken into custody without incident.

Region STOP Team members also stopped a vehicle that same date near 15^th and Grant, at which time Robert Fitzpatrick, 18 years of age, was located in the vehicle. It was determined that Fitzpatrick had outstanding felony warrants on file for armed robbery and burglary and was taken into custody without incident.

The Region Stop Team is comprised of fulltime officers from the Hammond, Gary, Lake County Sheriff and the East Chicago Police Departments.  Part time members include the Munster, St. John, Highland, Griffith, Schererville, Dyer, University of Indiana- Northwest Campus (IUN), Whiting and the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD).  The effort is supported by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office as well as crime mapping and analytical support by IUN.

Press personnel are invited to contact any of the agency heads that participate on this team.  Questions may also be directed to Chief Mark J. Becker, East Chicago Police Department, cellular telephone (219) 712-0864

The Region STOP Team Arrest - Chauncey L. Hackett Jr.

P R E S S      R E L E A S E

The Region STOP Team

March 3, 2014

6:00 pm

Re:  Chauncey L. Hackett Jr.

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, East Chicago Police Department, today released the following information on behalf of the Region STOP Team;

On February 28, 2014, members of the Region STOP Team were concentrating patrol efforts in the Harbor Section of East Chicago. This effort was in response to increased reports of violence in the area, to include two homicides and several recent reports of shots fired in the area.

While investigating a suspicious vehicle in the 3500 block of Block Avenue, an occupant of the vehicle exited the car and fled from the area. The officers pursued the suspect and upon apprehension, found him to be in possession of a handgun.  Further investigation determined the subject, Hackett Jr., was a convicted felon.

Hacket Jr. is 23 year old, black male, who is a resident of East Chicago, Indiana   

The matter has been turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and it is expected that federal charges will be forthcoming. 

The Region STOP Team Arrest - Ramiro Cabello III

P R E S S      R E L E A S E

The Region STOP Team

March 3, 2014

6:30 pm

Re:  Ramiro Cabello III

Mark J. Becker, Chief of Police, East Chicago Police Department, today released the following information on behalf of the Region STOP Team;

On February 24, 2014, members of the Region STOP Team, based upon anonymous complaints concerning suspicious activity, approached a residence in the 3900 block of Parrish Avenue, East Chicago, Indiana.  

The officers then came in contact with Ramiro Cabello III, 45 years of age, at which time the officers were able to detect a strong odor of marijuana.  Upon questioning, Cabello admitted that he possessed some “bootleg movies” in the residence and also admitted to possessing marijuana.  Cabello provided consent to search the residence, following which STOP Team officers located approximately 340 grams of marijuana and 1,140 bootleg DVD movies.

Cabello was taken into custody and charges are presently being pursued with the Lake County Prosecutors Office.

This arrest is yet another result stemming from the public’s cooperation with the Region STOP Team.  The public is urged to contact the Region STOP Team at (219) 398-COPS

(219-398-2677)