The La Porte County Drug Task Force announced the arrest of 4 individuals from separate investigations recently. The first investigation focused on the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine within the city of La Porte by a mother and son. The investigation revealed that 46 year old Michelle Burgess of La Porte and 20 year old Kolin Burgess of Kouts, Indiana were selling narcotics within the La Porte city limits. Lead investigator Sgt. Andy Hynek presented evidence to The La Porte County Prosecutors Office where probable cause was established in La Porte County Circuit Court to charge Michelle Burgess with Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Heroin) Level 5 Felony and Dealing in Methamphetamine Level 5 Felony. Kolin Burgess was charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine Level 5 Felony. Both individuals were taken into custody without incident by the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) in Hammond, Indiana this week and are being held in The La Porte County Jail on a $15,000 cash only bond. The second case began after citizen complaints of cocaine distribution by a father and son within Michigan City. Information was learned that 63 year old Darwin Van Sr. and 33 year old Darwin Van Jr. both of the 400 Block of North Woodland Avenue in Michigan City were selling cocaine from their residence. Lead investigator Lt. Tim Richardson presented evidence to The La Porte County Prosecutors Office where probable cause was found to charge both Van Sr. and Van Jr. with Dealing in Cocaine Level 4 Felony. On Wednesday February 13th, 2019 Van Sr. was taken into custody by the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST) without incident at his residence. The La Porte County Drug Task Force, FAST, and The Michigan City Police Department uniformed patrol division located Van Jr. within a vehicle on the southside of Michigan City. A traffic stop was attempted by Officers Isaac Murray and Jason Costigan, however Van refused to stop and began to flee from officers. Van continued to flee in his vehicle for several miles through the east side of Michigan City until he was apprehended near Warnke Road on Michigan Blvd. In addition to the outstanding warrant, Van Jr. was also charged with Resisting Law Enforcement Level 6 Felony.
Van Sr. is being held at The La Porte County Jail on a $20,000 cash only bond, while Van Jr. is being held at The La Porte County Jail without a bond due to being out on bond from a previous unrelated case.