Crown Point Man Arrested After Violent Daylight Kidnapping in Merrillville and Weeks Later Charged With Stalking The Victim
A Crown Point man is facing felony charges after police say he violently abducted a woman in broad daylight at a busy Merrillville intersection.
The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on April 26, near W. 78th Avenue and Taft Street (SR 55), according to court documents. Officers responded to an emergency call reporting a woman had been forcefully taken by her ex-boyfriend following a confrontation that also left another man injured. The suspect has now been identified as Michael Paul Hoese.
Police say the woman was being driven by a male friend when the suspect identified as a 50-year-old Michael Paul Hoese blocked their vehicle using his silver Ford pickup. Hoese allegedly approached the driver’s side, shattered the window, and threatened to kill the driver. During the altercation, the woman exited the vehicle, but police say Hoese grabbed her, lifted her off the ground, and forced her into his truck before fleeing the scene.
Investigators immediately began tracking the woman’s cellphone, which eventually led officers to a park in Griffith. Police found both Hoese and victim in a vehicle parked at South Park and took Hoese into custody without incident.
The victim told detectives she was taken against her will and had previously been harassed by the suspect through constant texts, calls, and uninvited visits to her home. She also said she feared what he might do if she tried to escape once inside his vehicle.
During questioning, Hoese, admitted to smashing the window and “kind of” forcing the woman into his truck. He later attempted to downplay the encounter, but authorities say his statement, combined with physical evidence and witness accounts, confirms the abduction.
The suspect was charged with:
Level 5 Felony – Criminal Confinement where a vehicle is used
Level 5 Felony – Kidnapping where committed by using a vehicle
Level 6 Felony Kidnapping
Level 6 Felony – Criminal Confinement
Level 6 Felony – Intimidation: Threat is to commit a forcible felony
Level 6 Felony – Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury
Misdemeanor- Domestic Battery
Misdemeanor- Criminal Mischief
UPDATE – According to a newly filed police affidavit, officers responded to a report around 8:16 p.m. on May 11 regarding a possible protection order violation in the parking lot of a business located at 7505 Taft Street, Merrillville.
When Merrillville Police arrived, they located a silver Ford F-150 Raptor parked in the southwest corner of the lot. The vehicle, which matched the one used in the April abduction case, was occupied by a man later confirmed to be Hoese, previously arrested in connection to that incident.
When police approached the suspect’s vehicle, they immediately noticed the odor of alcohol coming from his person and observed an open can of beer inside the driver’s side door panel. Officers also later recovered a pair of binoculars and a cooler containing more beer from the vehicle.
Hoese was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was booked on charges including public intoxication and Stalking.
Although a prior protection order related to the kidnapping case had expired, authorities are reviewing whether additional legal protections should be reinstated based on the latest incident.
