Hobart Man Arrested and Charged With Child Solicitation
Chesterton- Anthony J. Brucer, 22, of Hobart, was arrested and charged after court documents state he communicated with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl and then drove to meet her at Coffee Creek Park on Morgan Avenue in Chesterton in the early morning hours of October 11, 2025 .
According to court documents, a reporting party with NW Indiana Predator Catchers notified police shortly before 1:00 a.m. that Brucer was on his way from Hobart to Chesterton to meet with who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. Police were in the area of SR 49 and downtown Chesterton and observed a vehicle registered to Brucer near the entrance of Coffee Creek Park with its hazard lights flashing .
Investigators say the communication began on a dating app and moved to text messages. Brucer allegedly acknowledged the age of the person he was communicating with, discussed meeting, and then traveled to the location.
Brucer was stopped by police a short time later at a nearby gas station. He was taken into custody and transported to the Chesterton Police Department. After being read his Miranda and Pirtle warnings, Brucer agreed to speak with detectives and allow a search of his phone.
While at the police station, Brucer admitted that he knew she was 13 years old and said that he had intended to have sexual contact with her. He told investigators “what I did was wrong and disgusting” and apologized multiple times. Brucer reportedly said this was “not like him,” claimed he changed his mind on the way, and asked detectives if he could “just go home,” according to the affidavit .
Charges Filed — October 13, 2025
• Child Solicitation — Level 4 Felony
• Child Solicitation — Level 5 Felony
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
