PORTAGE — A Portage man was arrested after police recovered multiple stolen items, including two off-road vehicles, two trailers, and a lawn mower, at a residence on Redwood Avenue.

According to a Portage Police Department report, officers responded around 8:25 a.m. on June 18 to the 5300 block of Redwood Avenue at the request of the Mount Vernon, Illinois Police Department. Investigators in Illinois were tracking two stolen Polaris off-road vehicles and a stolen flatbed trailer using a GPS tracking device that led them to the Portage address.

When officers arrived, they observed two Polaris side-by-side vehicles loaded onto a black flatbed trailer parked in the front yard. The vehicles and trailer matched descriptions provided by Mount Vernon investigators, who reported the property had been stolen within the previous 12 to 24 hours.

Police also observed a maroon Dodge Ram 1500 parked nearby. According to the report, muddy tire tracks connected the truck to the trailer, indicating it had recently been moved. Officers additionally noticed a Craftsman lawn mower loaded onto a separate small trailer on the property.

A man identified as 36-year-old Michael Charles Johnson told officers he had traded an enclosed trailer for the Polaris vehicles and flatbed trailer with a person named Hunter somewhere in Kentucky the previous day. Johnson reportedly stated he had no paperwork or proof of ownership for the vehicles or trailer but claimed he possessed keys to them.

After detectives arrived on scene, one detective recognized the Craftsman lawn mower as property connected to a previous investigation. Authorities ran identification numbers on both the lawn mower and trailer and confirmed they had been reported stolen.

The investigation was turned over to detectives, and Johnson was transported to the police station for questioning before being taken to the Porter County Jail.

According to the report, Johnson was preliminary charged with Level 4 Felony Burglary, Level 6 Felony Theft, and Class B Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief in connection with the stolen lawn mower and trailer.

The stolen Polaris vehicles and flatbed trailer were impounded as evidence for the Illinois investigation, while the lawn mower and smaller trailer were returned to their owner.

All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.