Michael Anthony-James Louchart, 51, of Saginaw, Michigan, has been charged after Michigan authorities tracked a stolen van and trailer to a Portage gas station on October 14,2026.

Around 12:30 p.m., Portage police were advised that Michigan authorities were tracking Louchart and the stolen vehicle by GPS. The vehicle was described as a black Ford Transit van pulling a bright green trailer with asphalt-company lettering. GPS showed the van traveling north on Olmstead Drive before stopping at the Family Express on Ameriplex Drive. An officer located the van and trailer parked beside a gas pump at the north end of the lot, but Louchart was no longer there.

A store manager allowed an officer to review surveillance footage. It showed the van arriving at about 12:39 p.m. and Louchart walking into the store. He was wearing a bright neon-green shirt and tan beanie, and appeared to have tattoos on his face. He bought food and checked out at about 12:45 p.m., paying with his phone. As he left, the footage showed a police vehicle arriving. Louchart slowed down, looked toward the officer, then turned and walked south across Ameriplex Drive.

The officer reviewing the footage was about 15 minutes behind the actual events. Portage police began searching for Louchart on foot and in vehicles, coordinating with other agencies, including Indiana State Police and the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. Officers shared civilian sightings and searched with a police canine. After about 30 minutes, they located Louchart near U.S. 20 and Bailey Street and took him into custody at about 1:35 p.m.

Police said Louchart had previously worked for the owner of the asphalt company but was fired around April 2026, and the owner had not heard from him since. The report does not state when the van and trailer were taken or say that they were taken after Louchart was fired. At about 4:30 a.m. on October 14, the owner and employees arrived at the company lot and suspected equipment was missing. Several hours later, the owner determined the van and trailer were gone and contacted local police. Michigan authorities were seeking to return Louchart to their jurisdiction and planned to pursue theft-related charges there.

During an inventory of the van, officers found a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol on the front passenger seat, next to where Louchart had been seated. Police said no one else had been inside the van while it was being operated by Louchart. Officers were advised the firearm had been reported stolen in Saginaw Township, Michigan, a couple of weeks earlier by a family member of Louchart. Michigan authorities indicated they would likely pursue charges related to the firearm’s theft.

Police also documented four snowmobiles inside the trailer: a 2020 red Polaris, a 2019 blue Polaris, a 1997 black Arctic Cat and a 2004 green Arctic Cat. Michigan authorities were also investigating the snowmobiles as stolen.

The report states that other charges related to the stolen property would be handled by Michigan authorities.

Charges filed October 16, 2026:

Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon — Level 4 felony

Resisting law enforcement — Class A misdemeanor