Nicholas Joseph Bray, 33, was charged June 11 after police said he provided a false name during a traffic stop in Gary and was later identified through facial recognition software.
According to court documents, Lake County police were patrolling near 5th Avenue and Colfax Street at approximately 9:29 p.m. June 8 when they observed a black Dodge Ram traveling more than 52 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. Police said the vehicle made an evasive lane change without signaling before pulling into a parking lot near 5th Avenue and Clinton Street, where a traffic stop was initiated.
During the stop, police reported smelling burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officers said the front-seat passenger attempted to conceal his face and avoid eye contact. When asked for identification, the passenger allegedly stated he did not have any and wrote down the name “Robert Warren” along with a date of birth.
Police said a records check revealed the DMV photograph associated with the name did not match the passenger. Officers then searched the vehicle after detecting the odor of marijuana and reported finding suspected marijuana residue and a glass pipe.
According to court records, the passenger continued identifying himself as Robert Warren but could not provide a Social Security number or the address listed on the driver’s license associated with that name. Investigators also noted physical differences between the passenger and the individual shown in DMV records.
Police then used facial recognition technology, which identified the passenger as Nicholas Bray. Authorities said additional database checks, including tattoo records, confirmed the identification and revealed Bray had an active felony warrant from Lake County. Bray was arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail.
Court records show Bray is also facing a pending Lake County case filed Feb. 20, 2025, in which he is charged with two counts of Level 5 felony failure to register as a sex or violent offender. Court records in that case list “Robert Warren” as an alias associated with Bray.
Charges filed June 11, 2026:
Identity Deception- Level 6 Felony
