Three Teens Arrested in Tiger Den Gym Burglary

Teens ages 14, 16, and 17 face burglary and criminal vandalism charges after surveillance images led to their arrests in La Crosse, Indiana.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Property Crime

Three Teens Arrested in Tiger Den Gym Burglary

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Three teens were arrested on charges of burglary and criminal vandalism after breaking into the historic Tiger Den gymnasium in La Crosse, Indiana, on Wednesday, November 4. Firefighters responding to a fire alarm at about 3:45 a.m. found the building had been entered and that several areas had been vandalized.

Why it matters

The arrests follow a break-in at a historic community building in La Crosse, and the quick identification of suspects from surveillance footage shows the role cameras played in the case. Residents of the town now have confirmation that those responsible for damage to a local landmark have been taken into custody.

All three teens, ages 14, 16, and 17, were taken to the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office and later to the Juvenile Services Center, where each faces charges of burglary and criminal vandalism. The source does not indicate whether court dates have been set or whether the charges have been formally filed in court.

The players

LaPorte County Sheriff's Office

The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office is the law enforcement agency for LaPorte County, Indiana, which handled the detention and transport of the suspects.

The details

The La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department was called to the Tiger Den gymnasium at 11 N. Michigan Street at approximately 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4, because of a fire alarm, and firefighters found the building had been entered. A responding deputy was directed to several vandalized areas, and surveillance cameras reportedly captured images of three suspects who were identified by 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, November 4, approximately 3:45 a.m.: Fire department called to the Tiger Den gymnasium over a fire alarm.
Wednesday, November 4, 8:30 a.m.: All three suspects identified from surveillance images.
Wednesday, November 4, within two hours of 8:30 a.m.: Teens located and detained at three separate locations.

Legal Context

Juvenile burglary and vandalism cases in Indiana are typically processed through juvenile services rather than adult courts, and the teens here were taken to the Juvenile Services Center. Surveillance footage has become a common tool in identifying suspects in cases of property damage at public buildings.

Residents and users of the Tiger Den gymnasium may see repairs or security changes at the building as the damage is assessed. The source does not describe any specific safety advisories or road closures tied to the incident.

The takeaway

Property owners can reduce the risk of break-ins by ensuring surveillance cameras are working and that footage is reviewed promptly after an alarm is triggered. Quick review of camera images helped identify these suspects within hours of the incident.