Highland police report dozens of thefts, two auto thefts and 606 social‑worker contacts in six months

Metropolitan Police Chief Ralph Potesta gave the council a snapshot of public‑safety activity for January to date at the Jan. 26 meeting, reporting a range of incidents and enforcement outcomes.

Chief Potesta said there were two auto thefts: one residential vehicle (a 2019 Kia taken from the 2900 block of Garfield and later recovered in East Chicago) and one theft from a dealership allegedly involving fraudulent checks; criminal investigators are following leads on the latter. The department also logged two vehicle break‑ins and seven assaults, with two arrests on assault-related cases.

The department responded to 27 domestic disturbance calls, resulting in two arrests; officers made four DUI arrests and handled 65 accidents. Chief Potesta reported 21 retail theft incidents with 19 arrests and $1,178 in merchandise loss recorded in the minutes; he said many suspects were from Illinois. The minutes also note two residents lost money to phone scams impersonating police officers, with losses of $350 and $1,000 in two reported cases.

Chief Potesta highlighted the work of the department's social worker, Halie Gonlag, who the minutes say had 606 contacts in a six‑month period in 2025, assisting officers, residents and school staff. The chief also noted ongoing efforts by CID to follow leads on fraud and theft cases.

The report in the minutes is informational; no enforcement policy changes or new funding requests were approved at the meeting.