The City of Portage has experienced two homicides in a matter of two months and this is very concerning to the Portage Police Department. The first incident involved a Portage resident and is believed to be a contract killing that originated in Gary, Indiana. Despite the degree of difficulty in trying to solve this case, our department worked tirelessly with the Gary Police Department and was able to put the suspected killer behind bars.
This murder seems even more isolated than the first; as it involves a former Gary, Indiana resident who recently moved to the Indianapolis area. The degree of difficulty in solving the case will be more challenging than the first.
Our men and women in uniform will continue to make sure that our residents are safe. Minutes after the shooting our officers performed door to door canvasses, utilized the Lake County Sheriff’s helicopter, a Porter County Sheriff’s Department K9 and even used methods as Facebook to inform Portage residents of the situation.
Protecting our residents from outside influences is no new challenge to this Police Department. At the beginning of this year we stated that we would keep our residents informed on the good and bad when it happens. Nothing has changed and the message to the “bad guys” who commit a crime in Portage will continue to be loud and clear; we will avail ourselves of all possible resources and will not rest until you are brought to justice.
Chief Troy Williams