Indiana Man Stole $174K Check From Lockport Township: Indictment

LOCKPORT, IL — An Indiana man has a warrant for his arrest for theft of a $174,710 check from Lockport Township, according to an indictment filed Thursday in Will County Circuit Court.

A grand jury indicted Ronald Batteast, 66, of Merrillville, Indiana, on one charge of theft greater than $100,000 on Thursday, and a warrant was issued.

Deputy Chief Ron Huff said Batteast is not in custody at this time.

The charge stems from the theft of a check from January 2023, Huff said. Batteast got control of a check from Lockport Township that was sent to White Oak Library District for owed tax money, according to officials.

Huff said Batteast then deposited the money into an account he had opened in the library's name, before he withdrew the amount.