Porter County crimeBriefs

Police allege mother drove her car drunk with 3 kids in vehicle

PORTAGE | A 39-year-old woman was arrested and faces a series of intoxicated driving charges after police said she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she crashed her SUV with three children inside.

Portage police responded to a crash about 9:30 p.m. on U.S. 6 at Willowcreek Road. Officers said one of the drivers, Ellen Higel of Portage, was initially confused at the scene and said she had a few drinks earlier at a bowling alley.

Police said she subsequently failed a field sobriety test and was taken to Porter hospital in Portage for a chemical evaluation. She allegedly tested positive for THC, a compound found in marijuana.

Officers said she was taken to Porter County Jail.

An 11-year-old boy in the car suffered a broken arm, police said.

Officers investigate report of suspicious man talking to girl

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP | Authorities are investigating a suspicious person complaint after a woman said her elementary-school-age daughter was reportedly approached by a stranger while waiting for her school bus.

The woman told Porter County Sheriff's Department investigators Monday her daughter was waiting outside their home in the 1000 block of North County Road 100 East when an older-model white pickup truck pulled into the driveway. The woman said the driver asked her daughter a few questions then left.

Officers said the child's father reported seeing a similar vehicle outside their home days earlier when the child went outside to get the mail.