A traffic stop was initiated and through the course of the investigation it was determined that the vehicle may have been stolen due to the driver not having keys to the vehicle and not knowing who owned the vehicle. The driver also was wanted on an outstanding warrant for auto theft. The owner of the vehicle was contacted and realized that he had last seen his vehicle while on his break from work.
The suspect was identified as Steve Nicholas Markopoulos, 41, from Hobart, IN. He is currently being charged with the following: Auto Theft – Level 5 Felony; Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle – Class A Misdemeanor; and a warrant for Auto-Theft – Level 5 Felony.
All persons named in this release are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. All charges mentioned are merely accusations, actual charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor's Office.