Zane Taylor Stasak, 34, of Portage, an inmate at the Porter County Jail, has been charged with a felony after allegedly breaking a jail sprinkler with a broom, causing more than $1,800 in damage.

According to court documents, the incident occurred around 5:20 p.m. Aug. 18 when the fire alarm system at the Porter County Jail activated along with a sprinkler head in Pod B3.

Surveillance video allegedly showed Stasak pick up a broom in the dayroom shortly before the sprinkler activated. Stasak then allegedly walked to the back of the dayroom and struck the sprinkler head with the broom handle until it broke and began spraying a large amount of water into the dayroom.

The damage resulted in an emergency repair call-out, and Porter County was billed $1,837.18, according to court documents.

Stasak remains lodged in the Porter County Jail.

Charges filed Aug. 31, 2026:

Criminal Vandalism — Fire Suppression System in a Penal Facility, Level 6 Felony