A Michigan City resident has been arrested for a robbery that occurred on March 3.
Dispatch Center received a 911 call on March 3, at 9:54 a.m. of a robbery in progress at the Smoke and Vape Shop located at 3309 Franklin Street. Responding officers were informed by a Communication Specialist that an employee was struck on the head and possibly injured. Officers learned that an undetermined amount of money was taken by the suspect in the robbery.
Officers and detectives from the Investigative Division collected numerous items of evidence during this investigation which aided with identifying the suspect as 32-year-old Avery Smith of Michigan City. Probable cause was found to charge Smith with robbery-resulting in bodily injury and battery-resulting in moderate injury. Smith was issued a $25,000 cash bond and has his initial hearing scheduled on March 15.
The Michigan City Police Department would ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident, has any additional information, or has video surveillance / cell phone video of this incident, to contact Detective Lieutenant Anna Painter at (219) 874-3221, Extension 1077 or by email at apainter@emichigancity.com.
They would also like to remind the public that you can contact them via Facebook Messenger, through their crime tip hotline number of 219-873-1488, or you can also call the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78-CRIME and possibly receive a reward upon an arrest and conviction. All WeTip call information is sent directly to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. Police say you can always request to remain anonymous.