Northwest Indiana

As part of the ongoing homicide investigation of Merrillville resident Cecil Pendleton Jr., the Merrillville Police Department and the Northwest Indiana Major Crimes Task Force have arrested five people for various crimes unrelated to the murder.Police have focused their investigation in and around the Tan Tar A Apartments (150 E. 59th Avenue, where the homicide occurred), and at the adjacent Edgewood Terrace Apartments (5850 Pennsylvania Street).Those arrested and formally charged are:Kendall Skinner, 18, 847 W. 89th Avenue, Merrillville, Robbery, Criminal Confinement, Criminal Trespass, Possession of Marijuana.James Bramlett, 21, 6120 Glen Drive, Merrillville, Robbery, Criminal Confinement, Criminal Trespass, Possession of Marijuana.Deandre…

Merrillville Police Chief Joe Petruch today announced that the Merrillville Police Department was offering a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of suspects wanted in connection with the Wednesday murder of Merrillville resident Cecil Pendleton, Jr. Police believe the suspects were breaking into cars at the Tan Tar A apartments (150 East 59th Avenue) when they targeted Pendleton who was walking towards his vehicle to go to work shortly after 5 AM.  Pendleton was shot while inside his work van and died a short time later at a nearby hospital.  As part of…