Region News Source

A Glenwood man is facing felony charges after Illinois State Police say an alleged road rage incident escalated into gunfire on Interstate 94 before ending with his arrest in Northwest Indiana. According to Illinois State Police, troopers responded at approximately 2:02 a.m. on July 18 to reports of an expressway shooting on I-94 southbound near 130th Street in Chicago. Investigators allege that during a road rage confrontation, the suspect fired a handgun at another vehicle.

Sergio I. Zepeda-Cervantes, 32, of St. John, has been charged in Lake Superior Court following a St. John Police Department investigation into allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault stemming from an incident in June. According to court documents, the investigation began after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted and sought medical treatment several days after the alleged incident.

A 22-year-old Gary man has died after a large-scale water rescue Sunday evening at Marquette Park Beach, according to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Gary Fire Department. At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, Lake County 911 received a report of a swimmer missing in the waters of Lake Michigan near Marquette Park Beach. The call prompted an immediate response from multiple fire, law enforcement, EMS, aviation, and dive rescue agencies.

A swimmer has died after a large-scale water rescue operation Sunday evening at Gary Beach, according to the Gary Fire Department. Emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 7:34 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, to the beach area near 1 North Grand Boulevard after reports that a swimmer had gone missing in Lake Michigan. The swimmer had reportedly last been seen about 20 minutes before first responders arrived.

Jessie Brown III, 47, of Chicago, has been charged in Porter County following a Chesterton Police Department investigation into the alleged robbery of a Speedway gas station in the 700 block of Indian Boundary Road. According to court documents, Chesterton Police were dispatched to the gas station at approximately 2:43 a.m. on July 15. Dispatch advised officers a male suspect had fled the scene in a U-Haul cargo van.

Andriana Velencia Norwood, 33, of Gary, is accused of fraudulently processing more than $1,000 in merchandise returns while employed at Macy’s in Hobart. According to the probable cause affidavit, Hobart police responded on January 14, 2026, after Macy’s asset protection personnel reported an employee had been apprehended in the asset protection office in connection with an alleged theft investigation.

Gilbert Eatman, 33, of Hammond, is accused of opening fire on Hammond police officers during a welfare check at his apartment Thursday afternoon, wounding one officer. According to the probable cause affidavit, Hammond police officers were dispatched at approximately 2:13 p.m. on July 16 to an apartment in the 200 block of Carroll Street after a family member reported Eatman was threatening suicide and exhibiting increasingly erratic behavior.

Gordon Dale Kazen Jr., 55, of Cedar Lake, is facing three separate felony cases after investigators alleged he stole copper wire and piping from HVAC systems at the Indiana Department of Revenue, a law office and an insurance company in the 1400 block of East 85th Avenue in Merrillville. According to court documents, the three cases stem from copper thefts reported June 19.

Monyea Bell, 29, of Chicago, is facing multiple theft charges in Lake County after police allege she participated in the theft of nearly $3,000 worth of merchandise from a Dick’s Sporting Goods store in Merrillville. According to court documents, the theft occurred on May 29, 2026, at the Dick’s Sporting Goods store in the 2600 block of East 79th Avenue. Police said two women entered the store, selected dozens of clothing items, and left without paying.

For thousands of fans, Thursday night’s Festival of the Lakes concert in Hammond was about the music. For one local family, it became a night they’ll never forget. Jenny Rachau, who is battling cancer, attended the concert with one hope: to meet Jelly Roll. “My grandkids made a poster for me,” Jenny said. “Even though I was in a wheelchair, we decided to sit up front.