Portage Police Respond To Disturbance At Inn With 6 Children & Weapons
Portage Police were called to the Rodeway Inn located at 6142 HWY 20 around 1AM Thursday for a disturbance, according to a police report.
Officers were told on arrival that there was yelling, screaming, and children crying coming from an unknown room number. While officers were investigating the complaint they smelled burnt marijuana coming from a room on the second floor. While approaching the room officers noticed a male leaning on a car in the parking lot. The male smelled of burnt marijuana. The male advised officers he was staying in a room on the second floor where the yelling was coming from. The male and the officer went upstairs to speak to the parties in the room to see what the disturbance was about.
While approaching the room the male knocked on the window to alert the occupants. The officer observed six children and four adults in the room when the door was opened. One of the adults was holding a gun in his hand while he was yelling at the woman and children in the room when the door was opened. The subject with the gun now identified as Gerald Martin Jr of Gary, attempted to conceal the gun behind his back when he saw the officer at the open door. Martin moved towards the officer in an aggressive manner while saying “I got something for him.” The officer retreated for his safety to take cover till back up arrived. Martin then came out the door hand visible with no weapon and shouted “Nothing’s happening.”
Martin was patted down for weapons by officers and smelled of alcohol and burnt marijuana, the report states. Another adult in the room told officers he placed the gun in the bathroom when the responding officer retreated. The officer went to retrieve the weapon and noticed a 5 year old child in the bathroom that was attempting to reach the gun. The officer yelled for the child to stop and not to touch that. The child responded to the officer, “That’s my daddy’s gun.” The reports stated the gun was loaded with one in the chamber. The room was in complete disarray with clothes and food scattered through out while children were running everywhere. Another adult explained to officers that Martin had pulled the gun out because he was upset at the children and pointed the gun at them.
Police learned they were staying at the Inn because of their home in Gary recently burnt down. While continuing their investigation police also found numerous baggies of marijuana packaged for sales. Police later found another handgun near the sink area of the room where numerous children had just been. Martin told police he was on probation and did not have possession of any gun. Another adult male in the room who also had marijuana on his possession later claimed the second handgun was his. He was identified as Jalen Marshall of Gary. Both males were arrested on numerous felonies listed below.
Gerald Martin Jr – 26 Charges Mugshot Not Available
Dealing Marijuana Class A Misdemeanor
Intimidation – Level 6 Felony
8 Counts of Pointing a Firearm Lvl 6 Felony
8 Counts of Criminal Recklessness Lvl 6 Felony
8 Counts of Neglect of Dependent Lvl 6 Felony
Jalen Marshall- 5 Charges
Possession of Marijuana Class B Misdemeanor
8 Counts of Criminal Recklessness Lvl 6 Felony
