In early March the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a complaint of attempted car theft from Fouad K. Liddawi, who owns property in the 20,000 block of U.S. 6.

Unknown persons had gotten into a vehicle parked on Liddawi’s property and attempted to hot-wire the vehicle. Surveillance cameras were on the property and caught the suspects in the act of attempting to steal the vehicle.

Using modern technologies in the area, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department obtained images of the suspect’s vehicle. From that information, a lead was developed of a suspect. On Tuesday, March 21, Detective McFarland with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department along with the Portage Police Department went to an address in Portage and the alleged suspect vehicle was located.

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Michael S. Perez, age 49 was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail. Michael S. Perez was booked into the Marshall County Jail for Attempted Auto Theft, Level 6 Felony.  His cash bond was set at $1,500.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is merely an allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.