MERRILLVILLE — Police say there is no threat to the public, despite their presence for a few hours Thursday morning in the wake of taking an accused child molester into custody in the 7700 block of Taney Place.
“Police officials worked with nearby schools to make this warrant a success without putting our students at risk,” Merrillville police said.
Matthew Castro admitted to battering police as they were taking him into custody on the day he murdered 42-year-old Michael Overton.
The department’s tactical team joined detectives early Thursday in serving an arrest warrant on Renard Jenkins, who faces three counts of child molesting.
“Police vehicles will be visible in the area for the next few hours as they conduct their investigation, but there is no threat to the public,” the department said early Thursday.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Detective Alexander Van Rite at [email protected] or at 219-769-3531, extension 349.
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Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
Jackie Woynarowski Jr.
Age: 48
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308307
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – AGGRAVATED – W/INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jermaine Young
Age: 31
Residence: Dolton, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308318
Arrest Date: Aug. 27, 2023
Arresting Agency: Highland, IN
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Joseph Thomas
Age: 42
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308319
Arrest Date: Aug. 27, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Yonikee Phillips
Age: 34
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308292
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – AGGRAVATED – W/INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Cesar Spann
Age: 51
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308287
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY – SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Russell Starnes
Age: 40
Residence: Hammond, In
Booking Number(s): 2308288
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Gerald Stewart
Age: 35
Residence: Dolton, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308286
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jahmal Perkins II
Age: 31
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308305
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hobart Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SIMPLE – < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Maria Macias de Herrera
Age: 39
Residence: Highland, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308303
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Christopher McCoy
Age: 42
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308300
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Merrillville Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Joseph Midgett
Age: 53
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308291
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – AGGRAVATED – W/INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Donald Moses
Age: 48
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308306
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – AGGRAVATED – STRANGULATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Allyssa Kurzeja
Age: 34
Residence: Schererville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308290
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Carmen Kuckuck
Age: 45
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308316
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL; INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Jose Hurley Jr.
Age: 34
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308325
Arrest Date: Aug. 27, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: RESISTING – INTERFERING WITH PUBLIC SAFETY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Daniel Ibarra
Age: 27
Residence: Romeoville, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308321
Arrest Date: Aug. 27, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jessie James
Age: 50
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308308
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Cedar Lake, IN
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Eddie Jones
Age: 48
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308295
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Gary Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – TOUCH W/NO INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
James Heatherly
Age: 53
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308314
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lowell Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Kyle Foreman
Age: 32
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308309
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lowell Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Steven Flores
Age: 51
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308312
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OPERATE VEHICLE AFTER BEING HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER; OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Misdemeanor
Antonio Cornejo
Age: 38
Residence: Hammond, In
Booking Number(s): 2308294
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Marlon Carr Jr.
Age: 30
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308310
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: RESISTING – OBSTRUCTION OF TRAFFIC
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Kenneth Bishop
Age: 45
Residence: Hobart, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308322
Arrest Date: Aug. 27, 2023
Arresting Agency: St. John Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
David Yonan
Age: 63
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308228
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Markell Shorter
Age: 32
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308215
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hobart Police Department
Offense Description: OPERATE VEHICLE AFTER BEING HABITUAL TRAFFIC OFFENDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Monyia-Cashia White
Age: 24
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308233
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – RESULTING IN SERIOUSLY BODILY INJURY-ENDANGERED ADULT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
David Rogers
Age: 49
Residence: Hebron, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308203
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Crown Point Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Selena Seiber
Age: 28
Residence: Hebron, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308212
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Robert Richardson
Age: 35
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308231
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Roberts
Age: 54
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308211
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: East Chicago Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION HYPODERMIC SYRINGE OR NEEDLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jaylan Mendoza
Age: 21
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308213
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: HOMICIDE – MURDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Ryan Plester
Age: 29
Residence: Algonquin, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308219
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Edward Reddick
Age: 35
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308229
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Antonio Jimenez-Baez
Age: 43
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308230
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR; CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE – DEALING – SCHEDULE I, II, OR III
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Kody Lindley
Age: 28
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308210; 2308235
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023; Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department; Crown Point Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG; POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Felony
Edmund Frazier Sr.
Age: 34
Residence: Chicago, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308217
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY – SIMPLE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Blayne Hansen
Age: 34
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308226
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Munster Police Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – METHAMPHETAMINE
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jose Delgado Castorena
Age: 39
Residence: Posen, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308216
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jacob Flores
Age: 32
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308225
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Francisco Dehoyos Jr.
Age: 46
Residence: Lake Station, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308204
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: LSCT
Offense Description: CONFINEMENT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Colleen Besler
Age: 63
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308220
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Antonia Conley
Age: 41
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308214
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Merrillville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jason Bensema
Age: 21
Residence: Munster, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308218
Arrest Date: Aug. 24, 2023
Arresting Agency: Indiana State Police
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Dominique Williams
Age: 38
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308280
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Schererville Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Thomas Wayman
Age: 57
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308262
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – TOUCH W/NO INJURY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Requel Walker
Age: 29
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308245
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: FRAUD
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Deondre Todd
Age: 23
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308248
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Nicolas Trutko
Age: 42
Residence: Whiting, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308002
Arrest Date: Aug. 18, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Tajane Miles
Age: 20
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308264
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hobart Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SHOPLIFTING – $750 TO $50,000
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Amir Muhammad
Age: 27
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308242
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: LCCS
Offense Description: ROBBERY
Highest Offense Class: Felony
James Peak
Age: 41
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308277
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Cedar Lake Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jeremey Pokropinski
Age: 30
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308281
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lowell Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Samantha Marshall
Age: 24
Residence: Cedar Lake, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308282
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake Station Police Department
Offense Description: BATTERY – SIMPLE – AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIAL
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Matthew McGovern
Age: 35
Residence: Crown Point, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308285
Arrest Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: POSSESSION – COCAINE OR NARCOTIC DRUG; OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Misdemeanor
Ryan Marrs
Age: 39
Residence: Griffith, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308276
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Highland Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – POCKET-PICKING – < $750
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Nicholas Johnson
Age: 31
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308272
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: BURGLARY – PROPERTY – RESIDENTIAL ENTRY – BREAKING AND ENTERING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
William Lowery Jr.
Age: 43
Residence: Spring, TX
Booking Number(s): 2308254
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Bryant Mack
Age: 29
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308269
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DOMESTIC BATTERY
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jeniyah Haynes
Age: 18
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308259
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hobart Police Department
Offense Description: THEFT – PROPERTY – SHOPLIFTING – $750 TO $50,000
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Darren Johnson
Age: 55
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308271
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Griffith Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Keith Johnson Jr.
Age: 22
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308238
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: USMS
Offense Description: HOMICIDE – MURDER
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Morrell Grant
Age: 28
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308270
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Jessie Brown Jr.
Age: 44
Residence: Harvey, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308257
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: FEDERAL – ROBBERY OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTION; MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT;
Highest Offense Class: Felonies
Frederick Childress III
Age: 28
Residence: Calumet City, IL
Booking Number(s): 2308268
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Brian Davis
Age: 32
Residence: Valparaiso, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308260
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: BURGLARY – PROPERTY – RESIDENTIAL ENTRY – BREAKING AND ENTERING
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Bryanna Emerson
Age: 29
Residence: Merrillville, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308243
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: N/A
Offense Description: INTIMIDATION
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jason Bradburn
Age: 36
Residence: Portage, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308237
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: N/A
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Misdemeanor
Dante Banks
Age: 49
Residence: Gary, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308004
Arrest Date: Aug. 18, 2023
Arresting Agency: Lake County Sheriff’s Department
Offense Description: OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony
Jose Barajas
Age: 44
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308267
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: DEALING – MARIJUANA, FRAUD – FORGERY; OWI
Highest Offense Class: Felony; Misdemeanor
Deonta Allen
Age: 25
Residence: Hammond, IN
Booking Number(s): 2308240
Arrest Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Arresting Agency: Hammond Police Department
Offense Description: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
Highest Offense Class: Felony
