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. Employees at the Indiana Department of Revenue told police copper wire had been removed from air-conditioning units behind the building. Officers reportedly found copper pipes and wiring cut from five units, along with a section of pipe lying nearby.
A witness told police she saw a middle-aged man dressed in black pushing an orange shopping cart filled with wire away from the area around 9 a.m. Officers later found similar damage at nearby properties, including a law office and an insurance company.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from a similar copper theft reported that day and observed a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, ripped jeans, work boots and a ball cap. Police later identified the man as Kazen and located him at a Merrillville hotel, according to the affidavits.
On June 25, officers reportedly encountered Kazen in the 8300 block of Mississippi Street while he was pushing a shopping cart filled with copper wire. Kazen allegedly told police he was taking the material to a recycling center.
During an interview, Kazen allegedly said he believed he was the man shown in the surveillance photographs but maintained that he did not own the sweatshirt seen in the footage. Kazen reportedly denied stealing copper and claimed he received permission to take the material before selling it for cash.
Investigators obtained recycling records that allegedly showed Kazen sold $363.56 worth of copper during three transactions on June 22 and another $138.40 during two transactions on June 24. Court documents state he had completed several other similar transactions since June 16.
Investigators said Kazen was also suspected in at least five other copper-pipe thefts that caused damage to buildings in the area.
Kazen has been lodged in the Lake County Jail since June 25, 2026.
Charges filed July 17, 2026 (three separate cases):
Case 1
Theft (Prior Theft Conviction) — Level 6 Felony
Criminal Mischief — Class A Misdemeanor
Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Case 2
Theft (Prior Theft Conviction) — Level 6 Felony
Criminal Mischief — Class A Misdemeanor
Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Case 3
Theft (Prior Theft Conviction) — Level 6 Felony
Criminal Mischief — Class A Misdemeanor
Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
