ISP: Gary Man Faces 11 Criminal Charges After Traffic Stop

Indiana Chronicle — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 23:34:49 +0000

Lake County, Ind. — On March 9, 2025, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Trooper Kevin Council was patrolling I-65 northbound lanes when he observed a 2005 Ford Mustang that was driving erratically. The vehicle was weaving and traveling significantly under the posted speed limit while traveling in the left lane. A traffic stop was initiated and the vehicle initially sped up, then slowed down as though it was going to stop before again speeding up. The driver finally stopped the vehicle along the inside shoulder near the 257 mile-marker. This location is approximately a mile north of 61st Ave.

During the traffic stop, Trooper Council, along with Trooper James Williams, made several observations that led them to initiate an O.W.I. investigation.

During the investigation, a search of the subject resulted in additional suspected narcotics being located in his pockets.

A Glock model 23 .40 caliber handgun, that had been modified with a switch, was also located under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

The driver was subsequently transported to the Lake County Jail for a certified breath test but later transported to Southlake Methodist Hospital where a warrant was requested and granted by a Lake County judge for a blood draw. That warrant was executed at the hospital and the subject was then incarcerated at the Lake County Jail.

The driver, Lorenzo V. Watkins, 30, from Gary, IN, has been preliminarily charged with the following offenses:

Possession of a Machine Gun- Level 5 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 5 Felony
Possession of a Controlled Substance with an Enhancing Circumstance- Level 6 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
Unlawful Possession of a Legend Drug- Level 6 Felony
Neglect of a Dependent- Level 6 Felony
O.W.I. Endangering a Person- Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of a Controlled Substance Schedule I, II, III, or IV- Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated- Class C Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a License- Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana- Class B Misdemeanor

A report was also filed with the Department of Child Services as there was a juvenile in the vehicle. The child was turned over to a family member at the scene of the traffic stop.

All suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in court.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

The post ISP: Gary Man Faces 11 Criminal Charges After Traffic Stop appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

ISP: Two Arrested for Carjacking After Crashing on I-65

Indiana Chronicle — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 21:42:40 +0000

Merrillville, IN – On Friday, February 14^th, the Indiana State Police Regional Dispatch Center at Lowell received reports of a reckless driver on I-65 that was traveling southbound from I-80/I-94. The vehicle was reported to have been driving from the left shoulder to the right shoulder at a high rate of speed, almost hitting several vehicles. As troopers were attempting to locate the vehicle, additional reports came in that the vehicle, a silver Honda, had crashed near the ramp to U.S. 30. After crashing, the two occupants of the Honda got out of the car and began to run up to additional vehicles that had stopped for the crash. The suspects reportedly carjacked a black Acura while armed with a knife. They physically assaulted the driver of the Acura while forcing the driver to exit their vehicle. The suspects fled the scene in the Acura and drove westbound on U.S. 30.

Officers from Merrillville Police, Hobart Police, and the Lake County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the area and located the Acura abandoned in the 7900 block of Rhode Island St. in Merrillville. Footprints in the snow led Troopers to start a K9 track from the vehicle. Troopers continued to track the suspects when dispatch received a call from the Merrillville Fire Department that two males had walked into the station at 18 West 73^rdAve and reported that they had been robbed. The description of the two subjects at the fire department matched the clothing descriptions of the two suspects that had carjacked the Acura. Officers responded to the fire department and took the two into custody.

Cain M. Knaus

Stephanie V. Raices

The two suspects have been identified as Cain M. Knaus, 26, from Walshville, IL, and Stephanie V. Raices, (also known as Victor M. Zarate) 34, from Chicago, Illinois, and Bronx, New York. Knaus had an active warrant for a parole violation through the Illinois Department of Corrections. Both subjects were transported to the Lake County Jail.

The following charges were submitted to and approved by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office:

Armed Robbery- Level 3 Felony
Robbery- Level 5 Felony
Auto Theft- Level 6 Felony
Battery- Class B Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Crash- Class B Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving- Class C Misdemeanor

The above charges are accusations of a crime. Additional investigation is being conducted to determine who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. All suspects are presumed to be innocent until/unless convicted in court.

The Indiana State Police were assisted by the following agencies in this investigation: Merrillville Police and Fire Departments, Hobart Police, Lake County Dispatch, Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division, and the Indiana State Police C.S.I.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

The post ISP: Two Arrested for Carjacking After Crashing on I-65 appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

Lake County Jail Archives

ISP: Gary Man Faces 11 Criminal Charges After Traffic Stop

ISP: Two Arrested for Carjacking After Crashing on I-65