Traffic Stop Leads to Firearm Arrest of Man with Pending Murder Charge in Portage
A routine traffic stop on U.S. Highway 20 led to the arrest of a man with a pending murder charge after officers discovered two loaded firearms inside his vehicle.
Around 12:24 p.m., a Porter County Police officer pulled over a white 2017 Ford Fusion near U.S. 20 and Clem after observing that it had no visible registration and a suspicious paper taped to the rear window. The driver, identified as Montrell McLaurin, claimed the paper was a bill of sale and provided proof of insurance and a paper driver’s license. His passenger also presented a valid ID.
During the stop, the officer noted both individuals appeared nervous, with shaking hands and heavy breathing. Montrell stated he was on his way to the Hobart BMV to register the vehicle, but gave conflicting details about where he was meeting his father with the car title. A phone call with Montrell’s father revealed further inconsistencies.
A background check revealed that Montrell is currently out on bond for a pending murder charge in Porter County and had previously been arrested twice for unlawful carrying of a handgun, both after the murder charge. Records also indicated that Montrell and the passenger had recently been arrested together in the same vehicle for marijuana possession.
Given their history and suspicious behavior, a K9 officer from Portage PD was called to conduct a free-air sniff, which resulted in a positive alert for narcotics. A subsequent probable cause search of the vehicle led to the discovery of:
• A loaded Glock 31C handgun under the passenger seat (within reach of Montrell)
• A loaded AR-15 style pistol (Diamondback DB15) in the trunk, with 40 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber
Both firearms were secured as evidence. Despite both men initially denying the presence of weapons, they later claimed the guns belonged to the passenger — a contradiction noted by police.
Because Montrell is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his pending murder case, the Porter County Prosecutor’s Office authorized charges. He was arrested for two counts of Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (A-Misdemeanor).
Montrell was booked into the Porter County Jail. The vehicle was released to the passenger, who was not charged and allowed to leave the scene.
The firearms have been submitted to evidence as the investigation continues.
