[Tom Burns]

76-year-old woman helps in theft arrests
StoryDiscussionFont Size: Default font size Larger font size BY STAN MADDUX
Times Correspondent | Tuesday, January 06, 2009 | 4 comment(s)

MICHIGAN CITY | A Michigan City-area woman got dressed and helped police nab three suspects in a recent theft spree.

Police are applauding 76-year-old Dot Gallion for her bravery, yet cautioning others from taking such actions.

"I admire her for doing that. It certainly made our case much better. We certainly don't want to see anybody jeopardize their well-being," said John Boyd, chief of detectives with the LaPorte County Sheriff's Department.

Joseph Wolfe, 20, and Jonathon Wolfe, 19, both of 5721 W. 150 North, LaPorte, were charged with two counts of Class D felony theft. Angela Moryl, 19, of 1998 N. 150 East, LaPorte, was charged with one count of Class D felony theft.

According to LaPorte County police, in the early morning Dec. 31, Gallion looked out her window in the 4400 block of North Budlee Drive.

She noticed the dome light was on in her husband's pickup truck and got dressed.

Gallion went outside to shut off the dome light when she discovered one of the doors on the vehicle was ajar and items were missing from the truck.

Police said Gallion climbed into her van and was tracking footprints in the fresh snow when the woman saw two men walking along Budlee Drive.

She kept her distance as the men walked toward Countryside Christian Church, climbed into a parked vehicle and sped away.

Police were called and soon the vehicle occupied by the three suspects was pulled over on U.S. 35 near LaPorte County Road 525 West.

Assisting with the traffic stop was Trail Creek Deputy Marshal Steve Dick, who saw stolen items on the floorboard, including a car speaker, police said.

Police said three miniature tire inflators, additional stereo equipment, a cell phone, iPod charger cords, a flashlight, purse, makeup and loose change were among the other stolen goods recovered.

A cordless drill belonging to Gallion's husband also was found, police said.

Police uncovered other thefts from vehicles at five other homes in the area.

[Tim]

What did the "got dressed " have to do with that story?

[Michelle]

What did the "got dressed " have to do with that story?

Clearly it's more heroic when you have to get out of your comfortable jammies first.

[Tom Burns]

What did the "got dressed " have to do with that story?

You need to address that to The Times or to Stan Maddux who strings for a number of media.

Our WEFM report did not mention that but did go into more biographical detail about Dot and her two businesses. She was very active during and following the Franklin Street/Franklin Square transition and the period which followed.

[Roger Kaputnik]

Clearly it's more heroic when you have to get out of your comfortable jammies first.

I was assuming she was au naturel.

[Michelle]

I was assuming she was au naturel.

Ah, I didn't think of that. I'm still going with my pj's theory.

Here's a good headline from the paper a few days ago:

"Woman crashes car after breaks fail near 11th St." (Jan 3, News Dispatch). LOL spell check.

Back on topic, I don't think I know Ms. Gallion, but she sounds like quite an interesting person. Kudos to her.

[Tim]

I was assuming she was au naturel.

So what? It's like "before she went out she put on her coat."

Dumb.

[Roger Kaputnik]

What are you missing? She was nekkid.

[Tim]

What are you missing? She was nekkid.

I miss M&M. So - the naked part was suppoed to be.... funny?

[Tim]

The board is strange today.

[C Hinchman]

I was Dot and Jerry's neighbor for about ten years. There good kind hearted people and they work long hours. Jerry's starting to have some health issues.