Melissa Marquina-Melchor, 30, and Karen J. Lopez-Ramirez, 30, both of Chicago, were arrested after Portage police said they caught the women loading utility wire into the trunk of a vehicle near Samuelson Road and Portage Avenue late Wednesday night.
According to court documents, officers responded at about 10:57 p.m. on September 2 after receiving a report of suspicious individuals collecting wire near utility poles. Police said officers saw the women loading utility wire into the vehicle’s trunk.
Police identified Marquina-Melchor as the driver and Lopez-Ramirez as the passenger. According to police, Marquina-Melchor said they did not realize they were prohibited from taking wire from the side of the road. She allegedly told officers that Lopez-Ramirez suggested they could sell the copper inside the wire for money.
Lopez-Ramirez allegedly told police they had collected the wire near trash cans and believed it was not stealing if someone had thrown it away.
Police said they smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle. Officers reported finding open alcohol containers, marijuana and a bottle of tequila inside. Police also said they found a bag of marijuana on top of Lopez-Ramirez’s purse and later discovered three THC vape devices inside the purse.
Police said Marquina-Melchor showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests. She later refused to take a breath test, prompting officers to obtain a warrant for a blood draw. Court records list the breath test as refused.
Both women were taken to the Porter County Jail.
Charges filed September 3, 2026:
Melissa Marquina-Melchor
Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person — Class A Misdemeanor
Operating While Intoxicated — Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
Karen J. Lopez-Ramirez
Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana — Class B Misdemeanor
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