Two individuals were apprehended in Ohio, linking them to the shocking death of a man from Northwest Indiana.
On June 13, at approximately 10:30 in the morning, authorities from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Chustak Public Fishing Area, situated near State Road 149.
They discovered a man, identified as Derek Hartz from Valparaiso, dead just off a small path. He had sustained serious injuries to his head. Reports from the Northwest Indiana Times indicated that Hartz was found in a disturbing state, half-clothed on a deflated mattress, with severe bleeding from his skull.
The police uncovered an identification card from Virginia at the crime scene. Additionally, Hartz’s vehicle and cell phone were nowhere to be found.
The following day, law enforcement agencies in the Cincinnati area were notified to be on the lookout for the missing vehicle.
Fox19 reported the arrest of 28-year-old Jawon Martin from Virginia, also known as Jada Monroe, following a police chase on I-75 near Cincinnati. A passenger in the vehicle, 27-year-old Domonic Brothers from Gary, allegedly fled the scene on foot but was later apprehended.
Back in Indiana, Brothers now faces two murder charges, as well as a charge of robbery leading to severe injury. Meanwhile, Martin is charged with auto theft according to Indiana court records. Both individuals are also up against multiple charges in Ohio.
In an effort to support the grieving family, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up by the Hartz family and has raised over $750 so far.