A Hammond man is facing felony charges after police say he displayed a handgun during an incident outside a liquor store and was later found near multiple stolen firearms.
According to court documents, Ja’Karion Arnell Royal, of Hammond, was taken into custody on April 2, 2026, following an investigation that began at Sunrise Liquors on Calumet Avenue.
Officers were dispatched around 10:33 p.m. after a man reported that “a dude pulled a gun out on me,” stating the firearm was displayed but not pointed at him. The suspect was described as a younger male wearing a black shimmery coat and arriving in a gray Nissan SUV with multiple occupants.
Police later located a vehicle matching that description near a residence on Columbia Avenue. Officers observed several individuals around the vehicle, including a male matching the suspect description. As officers approached, Royal was seen walking away while holding his waistband before briefly disappearing around the side of a residence and then returning.
During the investigation, officers located multiple firearms in the area. One handgun was found under the rear of the vehicle, while another—identified as a Glock 19 with an extended magazine—was discovered underneath a neighboring vehicle. Both firearms were confirmed to be stolen from separate incidents in Lake County.
A nearby resident told police she observed a male matching Royal’s description walk to the back of her vehicle, duck down, and then quickly leave, stating it sounded like he had placed something underneath it.
Investigators also noted Royal had been involved in a prior incident days earlier in the same area involving a ShotSpotter alert, where he was seen fleeing from officers while holding his waistband. He was taken into custody in that incident and released shortly before the events on April 2.
During a recorded interview, Royal denied being in possession of either firearm and claimed he had not seen them. Investigators noted his statements were inconsistent with witness accounts and other evidence collected during the investigation.
Charges filed April 4,2026:
• Theft (Firearm) – Level 5 Felony
• Intimidation While Drawing or Using a Deadly Weapon – Level 5 Felony
