Porter Police said they obtained a search warrant Tuesday on a vehicle found abandoned at the Travel Centers of American truck stop at 1446 West U.S. Highway 20 that is registered to a Michigan resident wanted by the Lansing Michigan Police Department on charges for rape, 1st degree sexual misconduct, unlawful imprisonment and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Porter Det. Mike Veal told the Chesterton Tribune this morning police found the abandoned vehicle on March 22 at 4:30 p.m. belonging to Bryan Preston Farmer, 48, of Lansing, and based on evidence recovered was served a search warrant by the request of Lansing Police.

Farmer is said to have raped a mentally disabled Lansing resident, police said. It is believed that he has left the area by obtaining a ride from the truck stop, police said.

Veal said his department has not yet found any connections Farmer may have with Porter County and believes he may have been en route to Kentucky to stay with relatives. He said Farmer had been released from prison in August after a 23-year sentence and may be in violation of his parole.

Farmer is said to be 6 '1" in height with short brown hair and a mustache. Veal asks that anyone with more information to contact him at 219-926-7611.

Posted 4/5/2012