Two Arrested After Police Find Stolen Vehicle Occupants Sleeping Inside
A 28-year-old Hammond woman is facing felony charges after she was found sleeping inside a stolen vehicle in the early morning hours of July 29, 2025. Her passenger, a 38-year-old Cedar Lake man, also faces a related misdemeanor charge.
According to court documents, a Hammond police officer responded around 1:11 a.m. to a license plate reader alert for a stolen vehicle parked near the 7300 block of Alexander Avenue. Upon arriving, officers located the vehicle with two occupants asleep inside.
Police boxed in the vehicle and attempted to wake the occupants. The female driver, later identified as Rebecca Lynn Mayes, was found without pants or underwear and was ordered to dress before exiting the vehicle. The male passenger, identified as Michael Kappel Jr., was unresponsive and had to be removed by officers. He later admitted to ingesting multiple pills.
Mayes was identified as the adult daughter of the vehicle’s registered owner. The owner confirmed she had not given Mayes permission to use the vehicle and stated she wished to press charges.
Charges filed July 29, 2025:
• Rebecca Lynn Mayes: Auto Theft – Theft of a motor vehicle (Level 6 Felony)
• Michael Kappel Jr.: Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle (Class B Misdemeanor)
Mayes and Kappel were both lodged in the Lake County Jail on July 29, 2025.
