Robert Nicholas Brown, of East Chicago, is charged in Lake County after police say he was involved in a burglary at a local metal business where copper wire and tools were stolen.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the investigation began after the owner of Northwest Metals LLC, located in the 1200 block of East 143rd Street in East Chicago, reported that items were missing from the warehouse. The owner told police that on March 16, 2026, he discovered items had been taken and reviewed surveillance footage from the night before.
Police said the footage showed a tan two-door pickup truck reversing into the warehouse through an east side entrance that was closed but not locked. Two males exited the vehicle and began removing multiple bundles of copper wire from inside the business. One of the individuals was also seen taking a Stanley toolbox before both fled the scene.…