Stolen Vehicle Recovered, Suspect Arrested in Gary Following License Plate Reader Alert
A 43-year-old man was taken into custody on Saturday afternoon after Gary Police recovered a stolen vehicle thanks to a real-time alert from the city’s license plate recognition system.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., a Gary Police Officer was on patrol near 15th Avenue and Clark Road when he received information from the Real Time Crime Center regarding a stolen silver Ford Fusion. The vehicle had recently been captured on a license plate camera in the area, triggering an alert due to its stolen status.
Officers spotted the vehicle near the intersection of 15th Avenue and Clark Road. As they followed the Ford into a nearby gas station, the officers activated their emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop.
Before officers could fully approach the vehicle, the male driver exited and began walking toward the gas station’s entrance. Officers gave verbal commands, instructing the man to stop and place his hands on the vehicle. The individual complied and was detained without incident.
During an inventory search of the vehicle, officers located an Indiana driver’s license and debit card belonging to Benjamin H. Walton Jr., who was confirmed as the driver. The vehicle was confirmed stolen out of Gary.
Walton was placed in custody and transported to the Lake County Jail. Walton Jr. was charged with Level 6 Felony Auto Theft.
A search of Walton’s records indicates he has 5 pending cases stretching back to 2023 for: 3 counts of Resisting Law Enforcement, Domestic Battery, Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Cocaine, Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun-prior felony conviction w/in last 15 years.
