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| Wednesday, September 10, 2008 | (No comments posted.)
CROWN POINT
Gary man sentenced to four years on probation
Wyatt Cobb was sentenced Tuesday to four years of probation for carrying a handgun without a license, Lake County Criminal Court records show.
The Gary man originally was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, but pleaded guilty to the lesser felony charge, court records say.
Cobb, 30, was convicted in 1999 of an armed robbery, records say. He pleaded guilty to robbery while armed in return for prosecutors dismissing a felony charge of carjacking.
Cobb also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor check deception in what originally was a felony identity deception and felony fraud on a financial institution case.
MERRILLVILLE
Gary man charged in bank robbery on Friday
A 27-year-old Gary man is accused of robbing a Fifth Third Bank branch in Merrillville.
Kenneth Dwayne Vaughn was charged with robbery, one count of felony resisting law enforcement and one count of misdemeanor law enforcement in Lake County Criminal Court.
Police said Vaughn entered the bank at 8477 Broadway about 9:40 a.m. Friday and told a bank clerk he wanted to open an account.
He handed a bag to the bank clerk, demanded money and received cash from the clerk, police said. Vaughn implied he had a gun, but didn't show any weapon during the incident, police said.
Vaughn fled the bank, and another bank employee saw the vehicle he was driving and notified police about the situation, police said.
Police chased Vaughn to Delaware Street between 49th and 50th avenues in Gary, where he was arrested.
MERRILLVILLE
Police seek information about crash on Sunday
Police said four people were injured Sunday night in a two vehicle crash in the 9600 block of Randolph Street.
Police said a 2000 Saturn, driven by Rebecca Saliek, 28, of Merrillville, struck a 2002 Ford Taurus, driven by Sharon Newcomb, 37, of Crown Point, after the Saturn crossed over the center line of the road.
Police are not sure what caused the Saturn to cross over the center line.
Police said Saliek and a 2-year-old passenger in the Saturn suffered serious injuries. The two were transported to St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.
Newcomb and an 11-year-old passenger in her car suffered less severe injuries and were transported to Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus in Merrillville.
Anyone with more information about the accident is asked to contact Merrillville police Sgt. James Lilley at (219) 769-3722.
MERRILLVILLE
Merrillville man accused of having sex with teen
Thomas A. Dauksza-Brzinski, 26, was charged Monday in Lake County Criminal Court with two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor.
The Merrillville man is accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
Court documents say Dauksza-Brzinski is a neighbor to the victim.
Prosecutors allege Dauksza-Brzinski was talking with the victim at his home in the 5900 block of Tyler Place on July 26. The two then entered the home and had sexual intercourse at least three times, court documents say.
MERRILLVILLE
Red Cross postpones annual Heroes event
A number of factors have led the Red Cross' Our Heroes Committee to postpone the 2008 Heroes event until March.
The Red Cross' seventh annual In Honor of Heroes Celebration and Recognition Dinner had been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza in Merrillville.
The chapter's preparations were delayed due to the Aug. 4 Griffith tornado response. Also, a number of local Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to the Gulf Coast for hurricane assistance. Other factors included the Heroes nominations coming in very late and more notification needed for full attendance.
In a news release, Red Cross of Northwest Indiana CEO Gordon Johnson said, "We're optimistic that with your support and a sustained and redoubled effort, our March of 2009 Heroes event will be a successful experience for our Heroes, Red Cross volunteers, honored guests and sponsors."
CROWN POINT
T-shirt sale to benefit police set Thursday
Because the Sept. 4 car cruise and a T-shirt sale to help the Crown Point police canine unit were canceled due to inclement weather, the T-shirt sale has been rescheduled for Thursday's car cruise.
The car cruise is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. downtown around the historic Old Lake County Courthouse, and the sale will be on the east side of the courthouse.
T-shirts are $25 each and all proceeds go toward the purchase of future Crown Point Police Department dogs and equipment.
Also rescheduled for Thursday is Five Star DJ, playing old-time favorites from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
For more information on the car cruise, contact Jennifer Bzdil, special events director, at (219) 662-3290 or jbzdil@crownpoint.in.gov.
HOBART
False informing charge filed against Hobart man
George Ivan Clark, 35, of Gary, was charged with false informing Monday through Hobart City Court.
Court documents say Clark was stopped by police Aug. 8 for a traffic violation. Following an investigation by Detective David Grissom, it was discovered that Clark had given the officer a different name than his own.
Clark was cited for driving while suspended. Clark also was found to have an active warrant through Porter County.
HOBART
Ohio woman robbed at Hobart gas station
An Ohio woman told police Monday that she had gone into the office while filling her car with gasoline at Purkey's gas station, 1600 E. 81st Ave., when her luggage and $800 in cash were taken.
HOBART
Shoplifting is reported at retailer on U.S. 30
Three women reportedly shoplifted a large amount of bedding items from Bed, Bath and Beyond, 2520 E. 78th Ave., Hobart police Lt. Steve Houck said.
The incident, reported to police on Monday, occurred when one woman was creating a disturbance at the cash register allowing her companions to leave the store with shopping carts full of items, he said.
Six other area Bed, Bath and Beyond stores have reported similar incidents, he said.
GARY
Social justice event set Friday at banquet hall
The Northwest Indiana Federation, formerly known as the Interfaith Federation, will host the King-Chavez Social Justice Event from 9 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Lake Etta Banquet Hall, 4801 W. 29th Ave., Gary.
The keynote speaker will be Thomas Balanoff, president of the Service Employees International Union, Illinois Council, Local 1. Balanoff, a Gary native, was a speaker at the recent Democratic National Convention.
The event is named for Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez, and salutes their grassroots organizing tradition. For more information, call (219) 886-3647.
HOBART
Patriot Day service set Thursday at monument
There will be a 9 a.m. Thursday service at the Doughboy Monument at Seventh and Main streets in remembrance of Patriot Day.
Speakers for the event will include veterans, emergency service workers and Mayor Brian Snedecor. Wolfgang will be singing. The public is invited.
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