Since the beginning of August, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office has investigated an increased number of thefts from motor vehicles.

The thefts were happening in neighborhoods primarily located in northwest portion of the county.

Most of the thefts were occurring during the overnight hours making it incredibly difficult to locate and identify a suspect.

That all changed around 1 a.m. on Friday, Sep. 15.  Deputies were dispatched to the 4600 block of Vintage Court where a resident’s camera surveillance system captured a subject entering a vehicle parked in the driveway.

Several deputies responded and began to search the immediate area for the suspect. While doing so, they located several articles strewn about belonging to nearby residents, later confirming they had just been victimized.  A suspicious vehicle was located in the neighborhood as well.

Deputies waited patiently for the suspicious vehicle to leave.

 At approximately 4 a.m. the vehicle began to leave the area. A traffic stop was initiated at the intersection of CR 400 North and CR 600 West.

The driver was identified as Cleophis J. Swanson, 31.

During the course of the traffic stop, evidence was observed and recovered linking SWANSON to the recent thefts.

Swanson was taken into custody and transported to the La Porte County Jail (LCJ).  He was arrested for the following offenses:

• Theft, L6 Felony

• Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, B-Misd.

Swanson remains housed in the LCJ and is being held without bond.