Hobart Police Department

05/31/2026

House Fire 🔥

While on patrol, a Hobart officer observed a large amount of smoke in the air coming from the area of US 30 and Randolph Street.

Officer Zormier arrived at a residence in the 8000 block of Randolph St in the Town of Merrillville and observed heavy black smoke coming from the windows and roof of the home.

Officer Zormier and a Good Samaritan arrived at the residence and, after noticing multiple vehicles on the property, made the decision to force entry into the home before the fire department arrived on scene in an effort to locate any occupants inside.

After entering the residence, they heard adults and children yelling from the basement.

Officer Zormier exited the home and located a window at the rear of the residence where the children and a parent were trapped inside. Four children and one adult were ultimately rescued from the residence and brought to safety, where medical personnel provided treatment.

The quick actions of Officer Zormier and the Good Samaritan helped ensure that everyone inside the home was safely evacuated before conditions worsened. Officer Zormier was treated for smoke inhalation.

05/29/2026

The Hobart Police Department is proud to announce that Detective Corporal Michael Gallagher has been selected as a recipient of the District 1 Law Enforcement Council’s Exemplary Investigations Award.

This recognition honors Detective Cpl. Gallagher’s extraordinary work on a complex homicide investigation that began in November 2022 following the deaths of Destiny Jackson and Nazirah Muhammad. Assigned as the lead investigator, Detective Gallagher dedicated more than three years to pursuing justice through countless interviews, extensive analysis of physical, digital and forensic evidence, and coordination with numerous local, county, state, and out-of-state partners.

His unwavering determination, attention to detail, and commitment to following every lead—no matter how small—ultimately resulted in a comprehensive case being presented to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office. His efforts led to multiple criminal charges, including murder, being filed against individuals and helped provide long-awaited answers and closure to the victims’ loved ones.

Detective Cpl. Gallagher’s perseverance, professionalism, and dedication to serving our community exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement. We are honored to see his work recognized by the District 1 Law Enforcement Council.

05/29/2026

Today we are proud to welcome new School Resource Officer Thomas “Tommy” Mosley to the Hobart Police Department. Tommy graduated from Portage High School and from Calumet College of Saint Joseph with a degree in Criminal Justice. Tommy is a familiar face as he interned with the Hobart Police Department in 2015. Tommy is a graduate of the Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Class 16-36 and served as a police officer with CSX Railroad for 10 years before joining the Hobart Police Department. Tommy will be training all summer and getting to know the Hobart community, beginning SRO duties in the 26-27 school year.

05/22/2026

Our thoughts and prayers are with La Porte County Deputy Jon Samuelson, his family, and the entire La Porte County Sheriff’s Department.

𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐂. 𝐇𝐞𝐞𝐠…

“La Porte County friends and neighbors, we are asking for our community to rise up, rally together, and lift Deputy Jon Samuelson and his family in prayer and support during this incredibly challenging time.

Now more than ever, we need our residents across the county to stand together in strength, faith, and support for one of our own. Deputy Samuelson has dedicated his life to serving and protecting this county, and we ask everyone now to stand beside him and his loved ones with prayer and solidarity.

Please keep Jon, his family, and the entire LCSO law enforcement community in your thoughts and prayers.”

05/18/2026

Last week, Lieutenant Zachary Crawford and Sergeant Jared Havens became certified as Tactical Athlete Program (TAP) Master instructors. This 5-day intensive course hosted in Omaha, Nebraska included instruction in Physical Tactics, De-Escalation, Use of Force Case Law, Report Writing, Cultural Competency, Mental and Physical Officer Wellness, and Nutrition.

The Hobart Police Department is committed to serving our community with excellence. We continually strive to be the best we can be by investing in ongoing training and professional development for our officers. This dedication ensures we are prepared, knowledgeable, and ready to serve Hobart with skill and integrity every day.

Lieutenant Crawford and Sergeant Havens are pictured with Instructor Ryan Jenson (8x UFC veteran & owner of Premier Combat Center).

05/15/2026

The Hobart Police Department would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of our incredible community partners for your generous donations and support during Police Week.

We are truly humbled by the kindness and thoughtfulness shown to our officers and staff. Your contributions not only helped recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement, but also strengthened the bond we share with the community we are proud to serve.

It is because of partners like you that we are able to continue our mission with pride and dedication. Thank you for standing with us, for supporting our department, and for helping make Hobart a stronger, safer community.

Monday - Marcos Pizza Hoogland Restaurant Group

Tuesday - MISSION BBQ & Jet's Pizza

Wednesday - Jersey Mike's Subs

Thursday - Chick-fil-A Merrillville

Friday - Olive Garden & Target

05/12/2026

Due to a traffic crash investigation you should avoid Wisconsin St. between 38th Ave and 40th Ave. You can detour through the neighborhood to the west - please watch your speed through the neighborhood also - but it's best to avoid the area completely and choose an alternate route, such as N. Lake Park Ave.

We anticipate the road will be closed for several hours. Keep an eye on our FB for further updates.

Thank you

05/09/2026

*Media Release*

We received inquiries regarding the Hobart Police Department’s involvement in removing individuals from the Plan Commission Meeting & Public Hearing, held on May 7, 2026, at the Police Court Complex, 705 E. 4th Street, Hobart, Indiana.

Prior to the meeting, the Plan Commission advised attendees of the Public Hearing Rules. These rules were also posted before entering the venue. Individuals wishing to speak during the public hearing were also asked to sign in on the sign-in sheet.

A 42-year-old male resident of Merrillville, Indiana, was removed from the proceedings after he repeatedly refused to provide his name for the public hearing record, as required under the established Public Hearing Rules. The resident also refused to provide this information on a sign in sheet prior to speaking. The matter before the commission involved a zoning issue, for which the identification of public commenters was both relevant and necessary. Despite being advised on multiple occasions by the commission's attorney that identification was a prerequisite to addressing the commission, the individual disregarded these instructions and continued speaking into the microphone, thereby disrupting the orderly conduct of the proceedings.

After several warnings, the commission attorney then advised officers that the individual would need to be escorted from the building. Officers instructed the individual to leave; however, he refused and continued arguing with the commission attorney. Officers then escorted him out by guiding him by the shoulder. In the hallway between the courtroom and the venue exit, the individual stated he was not leaving and was subsequently placed under arrest for Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct.

The individual is not being identified at this time because signed affidavits from the court have not yet been received.

During a second public hearing, more than an hour later, a female speaker exceeded her allotted speaking time. After being advised that her time had expired, she continued speaking and began yelling loudly, causing a disruption to the public hearing. She was escorted from the venue but was not criminally charged, as she ultimately left voluntarily.

To our citizens: We understand this issue is deeply important and emotional for some members of the community. Our responsibility during public meetings is to help maintain order so all participants have an equal opportunity to speak and be heard. While we do not take pride in removing individuals from public meetings, officers may be required to act when lawful meeting procedures are repeatedly disregarded and disruptions prevent the hearing from continuing in an orderly manner.

Those who complied with the established procedures were able to present their comments and have their voices heard, and we thank those citizens who let everyone be heard.

https://www.cityofhobart.org/CivicMedia?VID=282

05/08/2026

The Hobart Police Department would like to announce the graduation of one our newest officer from the Northern Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Hobart Officer Paige Wood completed 16 weeks of training and will now begin the Field Training Component.

Congratulations to all other graduates of NILEA class 26-55 and their families for supporting them.

05/06/2026

Burglary Suspect Charged

On April 28, 2026, Hobart Police Officers responded to the 1900 block of East 38th Place after the homeowner reported finding her front door open upon returning home. Review of residential security footage showed a male suspect entering the home through the front door and remaining inside for approximately two minutes before fleeing.

During the incident, the suspect was observed exiting the residence while eating a donut. Although initially no items appeared missing, the homeowner later reported multiple stolen items, including a wedding ring and personal belongings.

The suspect was identified as Jhon Guerrero, who was later taken into custody on an unrelated incident. Investigators were able to positively identify Guerrero as the individual seen in the surveillance footage, aided in part by distinctive clothing matching what he was wearing at the time of his arrest.

On May 6, 2026, Jhon Guerrero was formally charged through the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office with Level 4 Felony Burglary. He is currently being held at the Lake County Jail.

The Hobart Police Department reminds residents to secure doors and remain vigilant. Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Hobart Police Department at 219-942-1125.