Police find couple in woods following auto parts theft

PORTAGE | Police believe two people found hiding in a wooded area Thursday morning are responsible for the theft of auto parts from a garage.

Portage and Burns Harbor police were called shortly before 10 a.m. Thursday to Magoo's Auto Center, 6718 U.S. 20.

When they arrived, the owner told officers he saw two people taking auto parts from his yard and place them near a wooded easement.

Officers searched the wooded area and found Patti Magnusen, 32, and James Johnson, 39, both of Portage.

Police said in searching Magnusen's purse, they found prescription painkillers and a receipt from a Lake Station scrap yard.

Magnusen faces theft and drug possession charges. Johnson faces theft and a warrant charge from a previous drug offense.