On January 17th at 12:04 AM, the LaPorte County Regional Dispatch Center was notified that a burglar alarm was
activated at Columbia Outlet (1710 Lighthouse Place) while the business was closed. Officers from Uniform Patrol
Shift 3 quickly responded to the scene and noticed a front window was shattered. Officers entered the building and
located 59-year-old Michigan City resident Rodney Cooper attempting to conceal himself under a clothing rack
next to several bags of clothing. Officers searched the rest of the business and did not locate anyone else inside.
Officers eventually took Cooper into custody for Burglary (Level 5 Felony). The Michigan City Police
Department’s Evidence Response Unit assisted with processing the scene for evidence. The LaPorte County
Prosecutor’s Office and LaPorte County Superior Court 1 Judge Jaime Oss found probable cause to charge Cooper
with Burglary (Level 5 Felony). He was issued a $15,000 bond and his booking photo is attached to this press
release, courtesy of the LaPorte County Jail.
Other agencies who responded to the scene and assisted with this investigation include the Long Beach Police
Department and LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. 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.