Lake Station Man Charged Following Incidents at Meijer and Walmart in Portage
A 26-year-old Lake Station man, Harvi Samir Vargas-Pedraza, is facing multiple misdemeanor charges following incidents reported on December 27, 2025, at Meijer and Walmart in Portage.
Court documents state that at approximately 10:29 a.m., officers responded to a report at Meijer, located at 6050 U.S. Highway 6, after a witness reported observing Vargas-Pedraza in a public place with his hands down his pants while vigorously moving his hand near his crotch. The affidavit states the witness observed Vargas-Pedraza looking at her while engaging in the behavior.
Officers later reviewed video surveillance, which showed Vargas-Pedraza walking around the store, primarily the children’s and women’s clothing sections, while staring at different subjects and performing the same act, according to the affidavit.
In a separate incident later that day, officers responded to a theft report at Walmart, located at 6087 U.S. Highway 6, according to court documents. The affidavit states Walmart loss prevention observed Vargas-Pedraza remove tags from a green backpack and remove an outdoor security camera from its packaging before concealing the camera inside the backpack. The items were valued at $37.30 and belonged to Walmart, according to the affidavit.
Lodged in the Porter County Jail.
Charges filed December 29,2025:
- Public Indecency – Class A Misdemeanor
- Theft – Class A Misdemeanor
