William M. Pradelski, 60, of Gary, is accused of violating a protection order just hours after being released from the Lake County Jail.

According to court documents, Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers were dispatched around 9:11 p.m. August 20 to a residence in Gary after receiving a report that Pradelski was outside looking through a window with a flashlight.

A neighbor told police Pradelski had returned to his residence following his release from jail and was later seen walking through several neighboring backyards in the direction of the protected family’s residence. The neighbor said Pradelski was carrying a flashlight and wearing khaki shorts and a blue shirt.

The child victim told investigators she and her mother were sitting inside a vehicle charging electronic devices during a power outage when she saw Pradelski standing nearby in the road. The child went inside and later allegedly saw a flashlight outside a hallway window.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the child said Pradelski shined the flashlight through the window and peered inside. Her family immediately called 911.

Police located Pradelski at his nearby residence wearing clothing matching the description and carrying a small flashlight. During a pat-down, officers reportedly found a dagger-style knife in his pants pocket.

Pradelski initially told police he had been walking around checking for storm damage. He later acknowledged walking through neighboring yards but described the area as “communal,” according to court documents.

Investigators reported finding no communal area or notable storm damage behind the residences. The storm Pradelski said he was inspecting damage from had occurred more than a week earlier.

Pradelski acknowledged that an active protection order prohibited him from contacting the protected family. After being placed under arrest, he allegedly said several times that he just was not allowed to “talk to the kids” and promised he would never enter the family’s property again.

Pradelski was transported to the Lake County Jail. The allegation comes while he has a separate pending felony case involving the same child victim. 

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charge filed August 21, 2026:

Invasion of Privacy – Violation of a No Contact Order, Level A misdemeanor

Pending case filed August 3, 2026:

Child Molesting – Fondling or Touching a Child Under 14, Level 4 felony — two counts