On Monday December 12th, 2022 at approximately 11:45 PM officers of the Portage Police Department responded to the Speedway gas station located at 5011 Central Avenue in reference to a report of a robbery that had just occurred. Upon officers’ arrival they began processing the crime scene and gathered several witness statements. It was determined a suspect entered the business before placing a bandana over his face and demanded the clerk hand over all the money in the register. Although no weapon was openly displayed the suspect was holding his hand, or something in his hand, inside his hoodiepocket that appeared to be a firearm. The clerk complied with the robber’s demands and he left the business with an amount of currency. Although emotionally distraught, the clerk and witnesses were physically unharmed during this incident.
Witnesses were able to provide a suspect vehicle description and license plateto the responding officers. Detective Corporal Tony Dandurand responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Detective Dandurand was able to retrieve surveillance images of the suspect and those were shared with surrounding law enforcement agencies in an attempt to identify the offender. A short time later, a Winfield Police Officer contacted Detective Dandurand advising he recognized the offender as Miles M. Samplawski.
On Tuesday December 13th, a photographic lineup was conducted and a witness was able to pick out Mr. Samplawski from that lineup. A search warrant was then obtained for Mr. Samplawski’s residence that is located in the 2600 block of Vermillion Street, Lake Station, Indiana.
On the morning of Wednesday December 14th Detective Dandurand was able to execute the search warrant with the assistance of the U.S. Marshalls – Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force. Mr. Samplowski was found at his home and taken into custody without incident. Possible evidence linking Mr. Samplowski to the robbery was also recovered. Samplowski was charged with Robbery Level 5 Felony, Intimidation Level 6 Felony, and Theft Class A Misdemeanor.
Mr. Samplawski is currently being housed at the Porter County Jail without bond. ”This investigation is a fantastic example of inter-agency communication and cooperation resulting in the arrest of a serious felony offender,” Portage Police added. “We would like to thank the Winfield Police Department and the U.S. Marshalls Fugitive Task Force for their assistance during this investigation.”
