On November 24th at approximately 7:49 P.M. is when Uniform Patrol Shift 2 Officer Brock Moore was on
patrol when he observed a person standing in the parking lot of Virk’s Discount Liquors (1912 East Michigan
Boulevard) who he recognized as having an active arrest warrant. Officer Moore was able to identify this
person from prior law enforcement encounters as 19-year-old Michigan City resident Julius Bowen. Officer
Moore was aware Bowen had an active arrest warrant through LaPorte County Superior Court # 1 for Arson
(Level 4 Felony) and Criminal Mischief (B-Misdemeanor). Officer Moore met with Bowen in the parking lot
of Virk’s Discount Liquors and took him into custody for the active arrest warrant.
Officer Moore located a loaded handgun on Bowen’s person at the time of his arrest which contained an illegal
device attached to it. This device known as a “Switch” converts the handgun’s operational capability from
semi-automatic to fully automatic. Officer Moore discovered during his investigation that Bowen has an
unrelated pending felony court case which prohibits him from possessing a handgun according to Indiana Code.
Bowen was also arrested for Possession of a Machine Gun (Level 5 Felony) and Unlawful Carrying of a
Handgun (A-Misdemeanor).
Uniform Patrol Shift 2 Officer Rene Lozano assisted Officer Moore and identified 23-year-old Michigan City
resident Rashaan Jeanes who was with Bowen at the time of his arrest. Officer Lozano discovered that Jeanes
was also found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and narcotics. Officer Lozano learned during his
investigation that Jeanes has an unrelated pending felony court case which prohibits him from possessing a
handgun according to Indiana Code. Jeanes was arrested for Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (AMisdemeanor) and Possession of Marijuana (B-Misdemeanor).
This case was then reviewed by the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office on November 25th.
LaPorte County Superior Court # 1 Judge Jaime Oss eventually found probable cause on November 28th to charge Bowen with
Possession of a Machine Gun (Level 5 Felony) and Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (A-Misdemeanor).
Bowen was initially issued a $20,005 cash only bond for his charges of Arson (Level 4 Felony) and Criminal
Mischief (B-Misdemeanor). He was then issued a $15,005 cash only bond for the new charges of Possession of
a Machine Gun (Level 5 Felony) and Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (A-Misdemeanor). Bowen’s initial
court appearance is scheduled for November 29th at 08:30 A.M. in LaPorte County Superior Court # 1.
1201 East Michigan Boulevard ● Michigan City, Indiana 46360 ● (219) 874-3221
The mission for every member of this agency is to consistently seek and find ways to affirmatively promote,
preserve and deliver a feeling of security, safety, and quality services to members of our community.
LaPorte County Superior Court # 4 Judge Greta Stirling Friedman eventually found probable cause on
November 28th to charge Jeanes with Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun (A-Misdemeanor) and Possession of
Marijuana (B-Misdemeanor). Jeanes was issued a $605 cash bond and his initial court appearance was
scheduled for November 28th at 09:00 A.M. Attached to this press release are Bowen and Jeanes’s arrest photos
courtesy of the LaPorte County Jail.
Other officers who assisted with this investigation include Officers Joshua Callahan, Christopher Manns,
Maximiliano Hernandez and Detective Mark Galetti. The Michigan City Police Department would like to thank
the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office, LaPorte County Superior Court # 4 Judge Greta Stirling Friedman and
LaPorte County Superior Court # 1 Judge Jaime Oss for their assistance with this investigation.
We would also like to remind the public that you can contact us via Facebook Messenger, through our 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. You can always request to remain anonymous!
Arrests and criminal charges are mere accusations. Every person is presumed innocent unless and until
proven guilty in a court of law.