Theft of Hunting Camera Leads Police To Suspects House
On October 12, 2024, around 7 PM, Portage Police were dispatched to the intersection of Stagecoach Rd. & Marine Dr. in reference to a theft of a mounted Spartan Deer Camera worth around $400.
The owner of the camera told police the camera was taken approximately 30 minutes earlier and the camera had captured the thieves. The owner also advised the camera had a GPS tracker but was turned off after the theft. Portage Police filed a report and began to investigate.
A few days later the owner of the camera called police back to alert them that the device had turned back on and captured better images of the thieves and a location of the camera which showed the area of Camelot Manor. Police responded to the area where the camera was located and spoke to a male matching the pictures taken by the camera. The male answered the door of the home and spoke to police. While the door was open police were able to clearly see the alleged camera in clear view on a counter in the home. The male asked what police wanted to speak to him about. Police informed the male they were investigating a theft of the camera sitting on the counter behind him. The male told police that camera wasn’t his and police agreed with him. The male stated that some guy brought it over and gave it to him but he didn’t know where the guy lived. Officers asked the male if he would be willing to come to the station and they would attempt to locate this mystery person. The male stated that he would not and officers informed him he was under arrest for theft/ possession of stolen property. The male now identified as Steven Cooper, 65, of Portage was taken into custody. While enroute to the jail, Cooper stated that there was another guy hiding in the rear of his trailer that drives the blue Jeep with no plate parked outside his residence.
While officers were returning the camera and still speaking with the victim they observed the Jeep brought up by Cooper enter the parking lot and park near Gelsosamos Pizza. Officers made contact with the only occupant of the Jeep later identified as 60 year old Larry Robert Neil Hunter and asked why he didn’t come out while police were at Mr. Cooper’s trailer. Hunter stated that it didn’t appear that we were there for him. Officers asked Mr. Hunter about his knowledge of the stolen camera and he stated that he got it from someone else but could not provide any information on the person. Police also learned that Mr. Hunter had a suspended license and had no registration on the Jeep. Due to Mr. Hunter’s nervousness and stating that he occasionally uses controlled substances a K-9 was requested to search the Jeep. A search of the Jeep turned up Meth, pipes, pills, along with gloves and a wig matching that of the subject in the original theft of the camera photos. The substances were tested and found to yield positive results for Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin and Fentanyl.
Mr. Hunter was charged with Possession of Cocaine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Fentanyl (Level 6
Felony), Possession of Heroin (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of Paraphernalia-prior conviction (A-Misdemeanor).
Mr. Cooper was charged with Misdemeanor Theft for the camera.
