Man Charged After Police Say He Returned To Same Construction Site Twice And Sold Stolen Steel For Cash
Joseph Edward Romano, 47, of Merrillville, is facing felony charges after police say surveillance video shows him burglarizing a secured construction site on two separate occasions and later selling the stolen steel at a Gary scrap yard.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hammond Police were called to investigate two burglaries at a commercial construction site in the 3500 block of 169th Street. The Construction Property Manager for National Shopping Plaza told investigators the site was enclosed by a six-foot chain link fence with a locked gate secured by chain and padlock.
Surveillance video showed that on January 24, 2026 at approximately 3:20 p.m., a white van pulled up to the property. The fence was disassembled where two panels meet and bundles of metal wall studs valued at more than $200 were removed from the site.
Video from February 3, 2026 at approximately 4:05 p.m. showed the same white van returning. The fence was again taken apart and large steel pipes valued at more than $3,000 were removed. The van left the scene seven minutes later while towing a trailer loaded with the stolen materials. The manager told police the fence and gate were locked prior to both incidents and no one had permission to enter the property.
Investigators reviewed surveillance from the construction site, area license plate readers, and a Gary scrap yard. The van was identified as a 2008 Ford Econoline E250 displaying Indiana plate,which was registered to a different vehicle.
A Lake County police officer had previously located the same van on January 23, 2026 improperly parked at a Merrillville motel with the false plate attached. The driver identified himself as Joseph Edward Romano and told police he had recently purchased the van but did not have money to properly register it.
Police also learned the same van had been flagged in prior theft investigations in Munster on December 30, 2025 and Highland on January 5, 2026.
Surveillance from the Gary scrap yard showed the van towing a trailer arriving on February 3, 2026 at 4:17 p.m. Video shows 198 pounds of steel being unloaded and Romano being paid $198 in cash.
Lodged in the Lake County Jail on February 7,2026:
Charges filed February 6,2026:
• Burglary — Level 5 Felony (2 counts)
