Rensselaer Police Department

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10/14/2026

On July 30, 2026, just before 10:00 a.m., the Rensselaer Police Department responded to a report of a carjacking near the intersection of I-65 and State Road 114. The victim reported that she was refueling her vehicle when a black male individual approached, demanded her car keys and credit card, and implied he was armed with a fi***rm, indicating he would kill her if she did not comply. The suspect then took her vehicle and fled northbound on I-65.

Footage from nearby businesses showed the suspect on foot in the area for two to three hours prior to the incident. Earlier that morning he had been dropped off in a white passenger vehicle at a business west of I-65. License plate reader data in the area allowed investigators to locate the vehicle. When speaking with the driver of the vehicle, it was learned that the suspect is 21-year-old Daemon Robinson of Streamwood, Illinois.

A Rensselaer detective monitored license plate reader feeds and provided updates to the Indiana State Police regarding vehicle locations. Unfortunately, the vehicle was involved in a crash and Mr. Robinson fled the scene before he could be apprehended. Evidence recovered from the crash further linked Mr. Robinson to the incident.

A report has been submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office, and charges of armed robbery (level 3 Felony) and auto theft (level 6 felony) have been filed. A warrant has been issued for Mr. Robinson’s arrest. Mr. Robinson is not currently in custody. The investigation is ongoing and this story will be updated once he has been arrested and brought to Jasper County.

We appreciate the assistance of all individuals who provided information that contributed to this investigation.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

10/12/2026

There was an extensive amount of vandalism done inside the restrooms of several City parks last week. We are requesting the public's assistance in identifying the subject pictured. If you have information on who this is, please contact us as soon as possible at 219-866-7602 or send us a private message through Facebook.

10/09/2026

* Sharing information related to a recent scam circulating *

10/05/2026

Throughout most of 2026, the Jasper County Sheriff's Department received anonymous tips regarding alleged criminal activity. Many of these reports were subsequently forwarded to the Rensselaer Police Department and appeared to concern the same individuals. The nature of these tips varied, and after investigation, it was determined that the reports were unfounded. The reports then shifted to alleging that the individuals previously mentioned were now experiencing suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harm.

These concerns were also reported through the National Su***de Hotline and the National We Tip Hotline. In response to each report of self-harm or suicidal ideation, officers were required to make contact with the individuals named, regardless of the time of day or night, despite strong indications that the tips were false. During these interactions, the individuals consistently stated that they were not engaging in self-harm and were not suicidal. They also suspected that twenty-seven-year-old Nicholas Byars of Wheatfield was responsible for making these reports, as they believed he was upset with them for various reasons.

A search warrant was obtained and executed at Mr. Byars' residence, where evidence was collected for analysis. Mr. Byars had already left the area prior to the officers’ arrival but was later located in Rensselaer. During the encounter, Mr. Byars provided false information to the officers in an attempt to hide evidence and was taken into custody. He was transported to the Jasper County Jail, where he was interviewed and admitted to making the false reports concerning the individuals involved. It is estimated that Mr. Byars has made over 75 false reports of criminal activity or well-being checks across Jasper County this year.

Mr. Byars was charged with misdemeanor counts of false informing and harassment through the use of a computer network. All individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

10/02/2026

On September 7th at approximately 11:33 p.m., the Rensselaer Police Department responded to a report of threats being made by 36-year-old Christopher Gillette of Rensselaer. Witnesses advised that Mr. Gillette had been advised to stay off the property but later returned and allegedly made threats to harm the individuals present at the house.

Officers located Mr. Gillette in the 700 block of N. McKinley Avenue and continued the investigation. During the encounter, Mr. Gillette was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, drug paraphernalia, and Methamphetamine.

Mr. Gillette was taken into custody and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He was charged with Level 6 Felony offenses for Intimidation and Possession of Methamphetamine, as well as a misdemeanor charge for Possession of Paraphernalia.

All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/30/2026

On September 27, 2026, the Rensselaer Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting a robbery at a business located in the 100 block of North Cullen Avenue. The caller indicated that a male individual, later identified as 43-year-old Angel Belmori Nino Leiva of Indianapolis, appeared upset over issues with a debit card and became increasingly agitated.

According to the caller, Mr. Nino Leiva entered the area behind the counter, took the cash register, and attempted to leave the store with it. During the incident, he stated that the store was attempting to steal from him, which he indicated was his reason for attempting to take the register. As he was about to exit, Mr. Nino Leiva reportedly threw the register on the ground, causing damage. He then fled the scene in a white passenger vehicle. A knife was recovered behind the counter, believed to have been dropped by Mr. Nino Leiva.

Shortly thereafter, the suspect's vehicle was located by a Jasper County deputy near the intersection of 231 and State Road 110. Mr. Nino Leiva was taken into custody and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He now faces charges including robbery (a Level 5 felony), theft (a Level 6 felony), and misdemeanor charges of vandalism and disorderly conduct.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/28/2026

****UPDATE*****

Mr. Stokes has been located and is in custody and being transported to Tippecanoe County on his arrest warrants. We thank everyone for the many tips we received leading to his capture.

The Rensselaer Police Department is seeking assistance in locating 26-year-old Kane Stokes of Rensselaer. Mr. Stokes has active warrants through Tippecanoe County for charges including strangulation, domestic battery, intimidation, and leaving the scene of an accident. He is believed to be in the Rensselaer area.

If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please contact us at 219-866-7602. Tips can also be submitted via Facebook Messenger; however, please note that the page is not monitored consistently, and there may be a delay in response.

09/25/2026

The Rensselaer Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying the subject pictured here. We need to speak with him regarding an incident that took place at Walmart on S. College Avenue.

Please call 219-866-7602 if you have information on his identity. You can remain anonymous if you wish. You can also send a private message to us on facebook.

09/22/2026

On August 24, 2026, the Rensselaer Police Department was contacted to investigate fraud at a business located in the 1700 block of North McKinley Avenue. The business reported that an unidentified male, later identified as 51-year-old Anthony Zimmerman of Merrillville, purchased equipment valued at $16,000. When the payment check was presented to the bank, it was determined to be fraudulent and could not be processed.

Investigation into Mr. Zimmerman revealed that he has active warrants for his arrest across four counties for fraud and has an extensive criminal history including fraud, robbery, auto theft, and related offenses. A report was submitted to the prosecutor’s office requesting formal charges and a warrant for his arrest.

On September 15, 2026, the Rensselaer Police Department received information that Mr. Zimmerman was expected to visit a business near I-65 and State Road 114. Officers from Rensselaer and Jasper County observed Mr. Zimmerman, who fled from law enforcement when a traffic stop was initiated. The pursuit extended into Newton County but was ultimately terminated for safety reasons.

During the ongoing investigation, Mr. Zimmerman was located in the Re*****on area after the vehicle he was driving was located using a license plate reader. He was taken into custody at a gas station and found to be in possession of a trailer loaded with a golf cart. It was discovered that Mr. Zimmerman had recently purchased the golf cart in White County using another fraudulent check. The golf cart has been returned to the business, and authorities are conducting an investigation within that jurisdiction.

The Rensselaer Police were informed of another incident involving Mr. Zimmerman suspected of using a fraudulent check to purchase building materials at another local business. This investigation is ongoing.

Mr. Zimmerman was transported to the Jasper County Jail on his existing warrants, as well as charges of fraud, two counts of theft, and two counts of counterfeiting—each classified as Level 6 felonies. Further charges related to his fleeing on September 15 and the use of fraudulent checks to purchase building materials are anticipated.

We appreciate the assistance provided by the Jasper County Sheriff's Department and the Wolcott Police Department.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

09/08/2026

The municipal parking lot located at Front and Kellner must be cleared of any vehicles by midnight on Wednesday September 9th. This will be in preparation for the upcoming Little Cousin Jasper Festival. Any vehicles left in the lot will be towed at the owners expense.

College Avenue between Milroy and Susan is also closed to through traffic during the festival starting Friday morning. That stretch of road is only allowed to be used to access festival parking.

The 100 block of north Front Street (between Washington and Kellner) is only available for handicap parking during the festival hours.

On Saturday, downtown traffic will be shut down for the parade. The parade begins on Grove, turns north on College, east on Washington and will end near Weston. All traffic from 11:45 until the parade ends (approximately 12:45) will be diverted away from the parade route.

Address

201 S Cullen Street
Rensselaer, IN
47978

Telephone

+12198667602

Website

http://www.cityofrensselaerin.com/

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