Cedar Lake Man Faces Multiple Charges After Alleged Altercation With Police At Motel
Shawn Thomas Fullgraf, 49, of Cedar Lake, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from a January 2, 2026 incident at a Cedar Lake motel.
Police were dispatched to the Economy Inn, located in the 12500 block of Wicker Avenue, for a report of an unwanted party. Court documents state the property manager requested that Fullgraf be trespassed from the property after reporting he was inside a room where an occupant was attempting to sleep and did not want him there.
According to the affidavit, officers made contact with Fullgraf inside a motel room and advised him that he was being trespassed and needed to gather his belongings and leave the property. Court records state Fullgraf ignored repeated instructions, continued arguing, and insisted that he wanted to take a shower before leaving.
Officers advised Fullgraf multiple times that he would be arrested for trespassing if he did not comply. Court documents state he made no attempt to collect his belongings, sat back down, and continued yelling. After being given additional time to leave, Fullgraf reportedly stood up and began walking toward the bathroom, stating again that he was going to shower.
At that point, officers advised Fullgraf that he was under arrest for trespassing. When officers attempted to place him in handcuffs, court records state Fullgraf backed into a chair, grabbed walls and furniture, and resisted efforts to be taken to the ground. Officers reported he attempted to move into the bathroom while pulling officers with him and yelled that he needed to make a phone call.
Court documents state officers warned Fullgraf that he would be tased if he did not stop resisting. During the struggle, Fullgraf continued pulling away while one officer maintained control of a handcuff to prevent it from being used as a weapon. Court records state the pressure from the handcuff caused pain, swelling, numbness, and injury to an officer’s fingers, which later required documentation and photographs.
According to the affidavit, Fullgraf continued resisting and attempted to grab furniture inside the room. Officers deployed a taser in drive-stun mode multiple times to gain compliance. Court records state Fullgraf then grabbed the taser with his hand in an attempt to disarm the officer, prompting additional force to maintain control.
Officers were eventually able to place a second set of handcuffs on Fullgraf and secure him into custody. Court documents state medics were called to evaluate Fullgraf after he complained of shortness of breath and wrist pain. He was transported to Franciscan Health Dyer for evaluation before being released and taken to the Lake County Jail.
While being transported to jail, court records state Fullgraf admitted to what he did, said he “messed up” and should have just left, and also made statements indicating he wanted to harm himself, which were reported to jail medical staff for mental health follow-up.
Charges filed January 3,2026
• Attempted Disarming of a Law Enforcement Officer — Level 5 Felony
• Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Public Safety Officer — Level 5 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement Resulting in Bodily Injury — Level 6 Felony
• Criminal Trespass — Class A Misdemeanor
