Merrillville Man Charged After Allegedly Displaying AR-Style Firearm During Traffic Encounter In Crown Point
Crown Point- A 21-year-old Merrillville man, Darein Ashawn Lewis, has been charged in Lake County,after police say he displayed an AR-style firearm from inside a vehicle during a roadway encounter Sunday afternoon.
Around 12:13 p.m. on November 9, 2025, Crown Point officers were dispatched to the area of North Main Street and West Anderson Street after a caller reported a person in another vehicle had displayed a firearm while driving.
The caller told police he was driving north on Main Street when a black BMW in front of him failed to move at a stop sign. After he honked, the BMW reportedly began reversing toward his vehicle before pulling alongside near Main and Joliet Streets, where the passenger allegedly lifted an AR-style rifle inside the car and showed it toward him.
The man told police the gun was not pointed directly at him but that seeing it made him feel intimidated and afraid for his safety.
Police located the black 2015 BMW near Taft Street and 93rd Avenue and performed a traffic stop. Officers reported a strong odor of fresh marijuana coming from inside.
During the search, police recovered a .223-caliber AR-style pistol wedged between the center console and the front passenger seat, along with a marijuana rolling tray, a dispensary bag containing approximately 8.9 grams of marijuana, a Springfield XD-40 handgun, multiple loaded magazines, and a 30-round AR magazine containing 23 live rounds.
After being read his rights, Lewis told police he had just left the Crown Point Gun Show at the Lake County Fairgrounds. He said he had purchased firearm components there and assembled the AR-style pistol himself. He denied pointing it at anyone and told officers he believed people at the gun show wanted to kill them,which was why they had protection.
Charge filed November 10,2025:
• Intimidation – Defendant Draws or Uses a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)
Lewis was booked into the Lake County Jail on November 9, 2025
