Officials: Death in park's toilet Sunday believed to be suicide
PORTAGE | Portage police said a man found dead inside a portable toilet at Wolfe Park in Portage apparently killed himself.
The man, a 36-year-old resident of Liberty Township, was discovered Sunday night.
Police Capt. Terry Swickard said police responded to an abandoned vehicle complaint on the west end of Danube, a street which dead ends into the park, which is on Blake, near Stone.
Police then checked the area and found the vehicle owner dead inside the portable toilet.
Swickard said an autopsy Monday showed the man consumed pills prior to his death. There were no signs of trauma that could have resulted in his death, Swickard said.
Coroner Bob Schulte said he has not officially ruled on the cause and manner of death since he's awaiting toxicology test results and the conclusion of the police investigation. Swickard said police found a note which indicated the man was despondent, and he believes the death will be a suicide.
"It's definitely not a homicide. We're confident of that," Swickard said.
Knives and swords confiscated after disturbance in Chesterton
CHESTERTON | Chesterton police responded to a home on south 19th Street at 12:33 a.m. Tuesday after a woman reported her husband drank alcohol, punched a door, cut himself with a knife and threatened suicide.
Police said the man, who is 26, was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Police said marijuana, paraphernalia and eight knives and swords were found in the home and were confiscated. Police said the man could face drug charges.
Portage officer stops two alleged drunk drivers at once
PORTAGE | Portage Police Officer Greg Coleman stopped two drivers at once in the area of Days Inn, 6161 U.S. 20, and both ended up being arrested on drunken driving charges.
The officer said he was patrolling in the area of U.S. 20 and Willowcreek Road at 11:57 p.m. Monday when he stopped two eastbound vehicles that were weaving.
One of the drivers, Rosalie Durbin, 42, of Lake Station, was arrested on drunken driving charges.
The other driver, Kevin Katona, 40, of Portage, was arrested on charges of drunken driving, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. Police said Katona asked, "Would you mention in your report that I was cooperative? Sometimes that helps."
But the officer told Katona he had actually been less than cooperative.
Man says drunk ex-girlfriend shows up on bed in his home
SOUTH HAVEN | A South Haven man called police at 11:24 p.m. to report a woman he briefly dated a month ago, but whom he is no longer dating, got drunk, apparently entered his home through a window and was found lying on a bed in his home.
The woman, Belinda Stepnowski, 28, of Hobart, was arrested on charges of public intoxication and residential entry.
She is accused of entering the Devonshire Road home of David Kerlin.
Police to conduct sobriety checkpoint Friday in county
Indiana State Police said they will conduct a sobriety checkpoint during the late evening hours Friday in Porter County.
Police said drivers will be required to produce a valid license and registration. Motorists who are not impaired can expect delays of two or three minutes before being permitted to continue through the checkpoint. Police said they will conduct roving patrols after the checkpoint.
Chesterton police is accepting officer applications this month
CHESTERTON | Chesterton police will be accepting applications for the position of police officers starting today, and they must be returned no later than Sept. 30.
Applications will be available at the Chesterton Police Department. Any questions can be directed to Police Chief David Cincoski at (219) 926-7611.
