PORTAGE — A 59-year-old Portage man is facing felony charges after allegedly robbing a Family Dollar store and later being found in possession of cocaine when officers took him into custody.

According to a Portage Police Department report, officers were dispatched to Family Dollar, 6040 Central Avenue, shortly before 10 p.m. on June 18 for a reported robbery.

The store’s assistant manager told police she was counting cash from a register drawer when a customer approached the checkout counter with a small bag of chips. As she continued counting money, the man allegedly lunged over the counter and began grabbing cash from the register area.

The employee reported a brief struggle occurred as she attempted to stop the suspect. During the confrontation, she said the man grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the counter. Fearing for her safety, she backed away while the suspect continued collecting cash, including bills that had fallen to the floor during the struggle.

Police noted the victim later displayed bruising on her leg consistent with striking the register drawer during the incident. Additional bruising and soreness were reported the following day.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and learned the suspect had used a debit card during the attempted purchase. Officers also obtained video showing the suspect arriving and leaving in a white Chevrolet Cavalier. The debit card used at the register was reportedly left behind at the scene.

Using surveillance footage, vehicle information and license plate reader data, officers identified the suspect as Kenny Dewayne Bates, 59, of Portage. The vehicle was later located in Gary, and Bates was stopped by officers near U.S. 20 and County Line Road.

Police said Bates was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage when he was taken into custody. During a search incident to arrest, officers reportedly found $59.50 in cash and a small plastic bag containing a white substance. A field test allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine, and the substance weighed approximately 2.8 grams.

Bates was transported to the Porter County Jail and booked on preliminary charges of Level 3 Felony Robbery and Level 6 Felony Possession of Cocaine.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.