Fred Wayne Ritchey, 57, of Merrillville, is facing charges after a Hobart Police Department investigation into alleged sex offender registration violations.

According to court documents, the investigation began after a February 10, 2026 traffic stop near Southlake Mall in Merrillville. Police said Ritchey was driving a tow truck when he allegedly made an illegal right turn from the inside lane, crossing the outside lane without signaling and forcing an officer to brake abruptly to avoid a collision.

During the stop, police said Ritchey became angry and argumentative. A records check showed he was a registered sex offender and that his Indiana driver’s license still listed a Valparaiso address. Ritchey allegedly told police he no longer lived there and was staying in a trailer at a tow yard in Merrillville.

Investigators later determined Ritchey had completed a change-of-address form in December 2025, moving his registered address from Valparaiso to Merrillville. Court documents state Ritchey properly registered the new address with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department’s sex offender registry but allegedly failed to update the address on his Indiana driver’s license within the required 30-day period.

As part of the investigation, police also learned Ritchey had purchased a silver 2007 Lincoln MKZ in January 2026. Investigators said the vehicle had not been disclosed on Ritchey’s sex offender registry despite a requirement that he register vehicles he owns or regularly operates.

Police later spoke with Ritchey by phone. According to the probable cause affidavit, Ritchey admitted to failing to update his driver’s license as required and confirmed he had not reported ownership of the Lincoln until police questioned him about it. Ritchey allegedly said he had not registered the vehicle because he did not have the title.

Ritchey was lodged in the Lake County Jail on August 7, 2026.

Charges filed August 7, 2026:

Failure to Register as a Sex or Violent Offender — Level 6 Felony

Failure of a Sex/Violent Offender to Possess Identification — Class A Misdemeanor