Eddie D. Cagle, 44, of Gary, has been charged after police say a Gary residence that was for sale was burglarized and copper, televisions, alcohol and other materials were stolen or damaged.

According to court documents, Lake County Police began investigating on August 7, 2026, after the homeowner arrived at the residence in the 3000 block of West 47th Avenue around noon and discovered items damaged and missing. Police found copper wire connected to the air-conditioning unit had been cut. Gravel outside a small window behind the unit was heavily disturbed, which investigators believed indicated a possible point of entry. 

The homeowner reported approximately $300 worth of alcohol missing, along with copper tubing from the water heater, water softener, sump pump and air conditioner. Multiple electrical wires had been cut from the fuse box, and three Vizio televisions valued at a combined $1,500 were also reported stolen. The homeowner estimated the total cost of replacing the stolen and damaged materials at between $5,000 and $6,000. 

Police said the residence was currently for sale and unoccupied. There was no surveillance system at the home. A homeowner identified Cagle as a possible suspect and told police he was aware the residence was not currently occupied. 

The investigation then led police to Metro Recycling. According to the affidavit, recycling center employees reported Cagle had been there approximately an hour earlier and received $553.45 for copper he brought to the business. A homeowner told police the copper piping and other metal at the recycling center had paint matching the paint in the basement of the burglarized residence.

A Metro Recycling employee told police Cagle arrived at 3:32 p.m. on August 7 to drop off scrap metal. The transaction was completed at 3:39 p.m., when Cagle was allegedly paid $553.45. The employee said Cagle was a regular customer and was recognized by his face. Police obtained the transaction receipt and a still image.

Investigators examined the damage inside the residence and noted that the basement had recently been painted distinctive gold and gray colors. Tubing and piping throughout the house had also been painted those colors. According to the affidavit, investigators determined those colors matched tubing shown in photographs and police body-camera footage from the recycling center. 

Police reviewed the recycling transaction records, which listed the customer as Eddie Cagle Jr. Investigators also reviewed surveillance images they said showed Cagle and another individual selling the scrap metal. When Cagle was later arrested at his residence, police noted he was wearing a black fedora-style hat and a purplish button-up shirt with white dots—the same clothing investigators said he was wearing in the recycling center surveillance images. 

At approximately 8 p.m., investigators interviewed Cagle after advising him of his Miranda rights. When confronted with the allegations and evidence, Cagle allegedly stated he “doesn’t care” anymore and said he was going through hard times in his life. According to the affidavit, Cagle did not deny the allegations and then said he did not want to speak further without his attorney. 

Charges filed August 8, 2026:

Burglary of a Dwelling — Level 4 Felony

Theft — Level 6 Felony

Residential Entry — Level 6 Felony