Vehicle Owner Holds Break-in Suspect at Gunpoint, Calls Cops

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A 17-year-old who was reportedly breaking into cars in downtown LaPorte may think twice before doing so again after being held at gunpoint by the owner of one of the vehicles.

The 31-year-old man told LaPorte Police he spotted the youngster trying to get into his vehicle late Tuesday night. It was parked off the alley in the 100 block of Ohio Street, according to a police department news release. The man confronted the teenager as he was trying to enter another car parked in the 800 block of Ridge Street, held him at gunpoint and called the police.

Officers say the boy told them he was rummaging through vehicles to get gas money for his own car. The police report notes the boy smelled of alcohol. Officers reportedly found generic Xanax pills, $13.88 in loose change, a flashlight, a knife, a lighter and a dollar bill. He faces several misdemeanor charges and a curfew violation. His 2011 Honda Civic was towed from the location, as police say it was blocking the alleyway.

 

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