A Struggle at the Register

A 59-year-old Portage man is facing felony charges after allegedly lunging over a checkout counter and grabbing cash from a Family Dollar store late last week. Officers later found cocaine on him during the arrest.

Kenny Dewayne Bates was booked into the Porter County Jail on preliminary charges of Level 3 Felony Robbery and Level 6 Felony Possession of Cocaine, according to a Portage Police Department report.

The Robbery

Officers were dispatched to the Family Dollar at 6040 Central Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. on June 18 for a reported robbery, according to police.

The store's assistant manager told investigators she was counting cash from a register drawer when a customer approached the counter with a small bag of chips. She continued counting money as the man waited.

The man allegedly lunged over the counter and began grabbing cash from the register area.

The employee said a brief struggle ensued as she tried to stop him. During the confrontation, she said the man grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the counter. She backed away while he collected cash, including bills that had fallen to the floor.

Police noted the victim later had bruising on her leg consistent with striking the register drawer during the incident. She reported additional bruising and soreness the following day.

The Investigation

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and discovered the suspect had used a debit card during the attempted purchase. Video also showed him arriving and leaving in a white Chevrolet Cavalier. The debit card was reportedly left behind at the scene.

Using the footage, vehicle information and license plate reader data, officers identified Bates as the suspect. The vehicle was later located in Gary, Indiana, and Bates was stopped by officers near U.S. 20 and County Line Road.

Police said Bates was wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance footage when he was taken into custody.

Cocaine Found

During a search incident to arrest, officers reportedly found $59.50 in cash and a small plastic bag containing a white substance. A field test allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine. The substance weighed approximately 2.8 grams.

Charges

Bates faces the following preliminary charges:

  • Level 3 Felony Robbery
  • Level 6 Felony Possession of Cocaine

As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations only. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.