Shannon Washington, 32,of Chicago, has been charged in Lake County following an investigation into the theft of wheel center caps from multiple Gary Police Department vehicles.

According to court documents, Gary police began investigating after officers responded to the City of Gary Vehicle Maintenance facility in the 900 block of Madison Street on the morning of July 8. Investigators learned that shortly before 12:50 a.m., a white Ford Explorer entered the lot with its headlights turned off before a man allegedly removed chrome wheel center caps from approximately 10 Gary Police Department vehicles and fled the area.

Police said the Gary Police Department Real-Time Crime Center reviewed surveillance video from city-owned cameras overlooking the maintenance facility. Investigators used the footage, along with license plate reader technology, to identify a white Ford Explorer with distinctive characteristics, including a dented rear bumper and police-style spotlights. Detectives traced the vehicle to Washington before a license plate reader alerted officers to its location in Griffith the following day.

According to the probable cause affidavit, detectives stopped Washington after he pulled into a Family Dollar parking lot in the 5900 block of Ridge Road. Washington allegedly told investigators he owned and was the only person who drove the Ford Explorer and admitted having an interest in police-style vehicles. Police said he also acknowledged recording cellphone videos shortly before and after the theft in which he stated he was “going to make money” and later that he had “made the money,” though detectives said he provided conflicting explanations for those statements.

Court documents state detectives searched Washington’s cellphone with his consent and found photographs of chrome Ford wheel center caps. Washington allegedly told investigators he purchased similar wheel center caps from junkyards and resold them through Facebook Marketplace and to police vehicle enthusiasts but was unable to provide proof they had been lawfully purchased.

Police also allege Washington admitted he had previously been convicted in Illinois in 2022 for stealing Ford wheel center caps from Illinois State Police vehicles. Investigators estimated approximately 40 wheel center caps, valued at about $1,260, were stolen from Gary Police Department vehicles.

Charges filed July 11, 2026:

Theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000 — Level 6 Felony

Theft with a prior theft or conversion conviction — Level 6 Felony