Gary, IN- The Gary Police Department, in collaboration with the Department of Code Enforcement, has arrested a suspect involved in illegal tire dumping following an investigation that began earlier this month. On March 5, 2025, the Gary Police Department received a tip about a grey Chevy truck dumping tires behind 38th and Broadway. Officers were able to track the vehicle through the city's automated license plate reader system.

Following investigative leads, on March 7, 2025, Gary Police Officers and Code Enforcement visited Lake County Collision Center located at 3734 Malcolm X Drive. During this inspection, officers observed stacks of tires inside the building. The business owner was questioned regarding his business practices. After determining the establishment was operating without proper business licenses, Code Enforcement issued multiple citations for violations and shut down the business.

On March 14, 2025, the investigation continued as officers tracked the suspect vehicle in East Chicago and Gary. Through interdepartmental cooperation, Hammond Police Department located the suspect vehicle in the 4700 block of Johnson Avenue in Hammond. Officers observed a male enter the vehicle that matched the one seen in surveillance footage dumping tires. Hammond Police initiated a traffic stop, and Gary Police Officers arrived on scene to arrest Armando Ignacio Martinez, 49, of South Holland, Illinois.

Martinez was transported to the Gary Police Department for booking without incident. The vehicle was impounded.

Illegal dumping is a widespread problem in Gary and poses a significant public safety issue. Dumped materials, particularly tires, create health hazards, increase fire risks, and degrade the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The Gary Police Department remains firmly committed to combatting illegal dumping throughout the city. We thank the Hammond Police Department and our community members for their assistance in this investigation.

Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping by using the Gary’s 311 line (219) 881- 1311 or use the city's Text-to-Tip line (219) 207-8477.

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Media Contact:

Captain Samuel Roberts

Gary Police Department

sroberts@gary.gov

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