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Crime

Armando Gutierrez, 33, Arrested After 6-hour Standoff in Jasper

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin at 06/01/2017 11:47 PM EDT

Jasper – A six-hour standoff with a wanted Vanderburgh County man came to a peaceful resolve Thursday evening.

At 4:45 PM Thursday, an investigation by the United States Marshalls Task Force led them to 401 Clay Street in Jasper, where they attempted to serve a felony warrant on 33-year-old Armando Gutierrez of Evansville. Gutierrez was wanted through Vanderburgh County for Domestic Battery with a Deadly Weapon.

As officers arrived at the residence, six different people were located; however, Gutierrez had barricaded himself in a crawl space in the basement. Officers also learned Gutierrez was armed with a handgun.

Members of the Marshalls Task Force called for the Indiana State Police for assistance. Members of the ISP, the Jasper Police Department, and the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department arrived and set up a security perimeter around the residence until members of the State Police SWAT team and Hostage Crisis Negotiations team arrived. Upon their arrival, negotiators began trying to speak with Gutierrez in order to reach a peaceful resolution.

While speaking with Gutierrez, Gutierrez fired a round from his firearm. Officers do not believe he was firing at officers. Knowing that Gutierrez was in fact armed, and had discharged his weapon, SWAT team members continued to attempt a peaceful resolution to the situation.

At 10:50 PM, SWAT team members were able to use less-lethal weapons to de-escalate the situation and safely take Gutierrez into custody. He was transported to Memorial Hospital for evaluation.

Investigators will remain at the scene to collect additional evidence.

Arrested and Charges

  • Armando N Gutierrez, 33
  • Evansville, IN
  • – Warrant, Vanderburgh County
  • – Additional Charges Pending

Semi Driver Alex Galperin, 41, of Wheeling, IL, Arrested in Toll Road Crash

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin at 06/01/2017 09:48 AM EDT

LaPorte County, IN – On May 30, 2017, Indiana State Troopers were sent to investigate a crash eastbound on the Indiana Toll Road, near the Michigan City exit. When Troopers got there they soon found that there were two crashes and not just one.

Trooper Tim McCormick began to investigate the second crash which involved a semi and a red Toyota. The red Toyota had been involved in the original crash when the semi tried to drive around the original crash and hit the Toyota. While Trooper McCormick talked to the driver of the semi, Alex Galperin, 41, of Wheeling, IL, he smelled the odor of marijuana. After searching the semi, Trooper McCormick found a container of suspected marijuana with a label from a marijuana dispensary in Colorado. Also in the semi were several unopened containers of alcohol. It is against Federal Motor Carrier Rules for alcohol, opened or unopened, to be in a commercial motor vehicle.

Galperin was arrested for preliminary charges of possession of marijuana and taken to the Laporte County Jail. He was also cited for several commercial motor vehicle violations.

Persons arrested or named as a suspect are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Jessica Skeens, 28, Also Arrested in 6-year-old’s Death

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Tue, May 30, 2017, at 3:15 PM

Muncie – A second arrest was made this afternoon as the result of the ongoing investigation into a fatal crash that claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl Sunday afternoon. Sunday around 4:30 p.m. officers responded to a report of an overturned vehicle on northbound SR 67, the Muncie Bypass, just north of Meeker Avenue. Troopers Coley McCutcheon and Eric Patterson along with Delaware County Deputies arrived to find a car rolled over on the right side of the road.

The preliminary investigation indicated the driver, Jessica Skeens age 28 of Farmland, was driving a van north on the Muncie bypass with her boyfriend, Nathaniel Jordan, age 27 of Muncie, with two of her children in the middle seat in child restraint seats, and two more of her children in the rear seat without child restraint seats.

Skeens and Jordan had been arguing when Jordan punched Skeens and grabbed the steering wheel, causing her to lose control of the van. The vehicle left the right side of the roadway rolling over into the ditch, coming to rest on its wheels.

Skeens 6-year-old daughter, Taelyn Woodson, a back seat passenger who was not properly restrained in a child restraint seat, was partially ejected out of a window and succumbed to her injuries. The other three children in the van were transported to I.U. Health’s Ball Memorial Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries. Crash Reconstruction Investigator Trooper Scott Keegan was summoned to the scene to assist with the investigation.

After the prosecutor’s office preliminary review of the ongoing investigation, Jessica Skeens, age 28, was arrested this afternoon and charged with Neglect of a Dependent Causing Death, Level 1 Felony; Operating While Intoxicated Causing the Death of another person, a Level 5 Felony; Operating While Intoxicated with a passenger less than 18 years of age, Level 5 Felony and three counts of Neglect of a Dependent, Level 5 Felony.

Toxicology reports showed that Skeens had a B.A.C. over the .08% legal limit at the time of the crash. Skeens was lodged in the Delaware County Jail.This is all the information available for release at this time.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Nathaniel Jordan, 27, of Muncie, Arrested After 6-year-old Killed in Car Crash

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Sun, May 28, 2017, at 10:04 PM

Muncie – Sunday afternoon around 4:35 p.m. Delaware County dispatched a report of a one vehicle crash with ejection on northbound SR 67, the Muncie Bypass, just north of Meeker Avenue.  Troopers Coley McCutcheon and Eric Patterson, along with Delaware County Deputies arrived to find a car off the right side of the road.

The preliminary investigation indicates the driver, Jessica Skeens age 28 of Farmland, was driving a van north on the Muncie Bypass with her boyfriend, Nathaniel Jordan, age 27 of Muncie, with two of her children in the middle seat in child restraint seats, and two more of her children in the rear seat without child restraint seats.

Skeens and Jordan were arguing when Jordan punched Skeens and grabbed the steering wheel, causing her to lose control of the van. The vehicle left the right side of the roadway rolling over into the ditch, coming to rest on its wheels.

Skeens 6-year-old daughter, Taelyn Woodson, a back seat passenger, was partially ejected out of a window and succumbed to her injuries. The other three children were transported to I.U. Health’s Ball Memorial Hospital for the treatment of minor injuries.

Jessica Skeens was transported from the scene for treatment of a broken arm.  Nathaniel Jordan, who was treated for minor injuries and released, was arrested by troopers for Neglect of a Dependent Causing Death, Level 1 Felony, along with Felony Criminal Recklessness and Domestic Battery. He was lodged in the Delaware County Jail.

The crash remains under investigation, with further charges possible pending toxicology reports and further investigation into the crash. It is believed that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash and that no or improper use of child restraints and seatbelts contributed to injuries in the crash.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Indiana Conservation Officers Investigating Report of Police Impersonator

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Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 6:28 PM

La Porte, Indiana- Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a complaint of a possible police impersonator at Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area over the weekend.

On May 19 at approximately 11:30 p.m., three teenagers were fishing near the Kankakee River when they were approached by an individual who implied he was a law enforcement officer.

The teenagers said the incident began when a dark colored Ford Crown Victoria with a bumper guard pulled into the area and shined a spotlight on them. A white male in his early 20s exited the vehicle and approached them. He was described as wearing dark colored BDU style (Cargo) pants, carrying a holstered handgun and a large knife.

The unidentified person approached the three teens, told them he was responding on behalf of DNR to a complaint of someone shooting a high-powered rifle and asked to see their fishing licenses.Neither Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch Center nor the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of anyone shooting a high-powered rifle at Kingsbury FWA at any time Friday.

Typically, an Indiana Conservation Officer will conduct a fishing license check but any police officer is authorized to check for a fishing or hunting license. Indiana Conservation Officers assigned to regular field patrol typically drive a fully marked pick-up truck or SUV and wear a complete uniform with a badge and shoulder patches. Officers working in plain clothes will identify themselves by producing a badge and law enforcement credentials.

This is believed to be an isolated incident and the information is being shared for public awareness. If anyone has information regarding this incident, call Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement

Driver Passes out in Toll Lane, Arrested for OWI

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South Bend, IN – On May 11, 2017, Indiana State Police troopers on the Indiana Toll Road were dispatched to the Notre Dame exit 77 to check on an unresponsive male in a car that was stopped just prior to the toll booth.

Trooper Matthew Drudge arrived to find medical staff talking with the driver of the car.  During Drudge’s investigation, he found that the driver of the car was passed out in the driver’s seat with the car in drive and running.  He also found that one of the tires of the car was flat and missing.  While Drudge was talking to the driver he noticed signs of impairment and the driver would nod off to sleep.  Drudge placed the driver under arrest for OWI and applied for and executed a search warrant for a blood draw.

The driver, from Walkerton, IN,  was also found to be in possession of several pills, preliminarily identified as Klonopin, a controlled substance.

The driver was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and operating while intoxicated and transported to the St. Joseph County Jail.  Blood results are pending and charges have been given to the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Indiana Department of Corrections Employee, Taylor Hardesty, 23, Arrested for Trafficking

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Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 11:49 PM

Pendleton – A Correctional Officer with the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) was arrested Tuesday afternoon as the result of a joint investigation between Department of Corrections Internal Affairs Officers and the Indiana State Police.

The events started earlier today when IDOC investigators contacted Detective Bob May at the Pendleton Post a little after 8 a.m. Investigators advised May they had discovered over 100 cell phones concealed in an employee’s car that was inside of the Pendleton Correctional Facility. The car had been driven into the prison, with permission, and dropped off by off-duty Correctional Officer Taylor Hardesty, age 23 of Indianapolis, to have the brakes repaired.

Hardesty was to return later to pick up his repaired car. Further investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Bob May led to Hardesty being located at the home of an acquaintance on the south side of Indianapolis this afternoon. Detective May arrested Hardesty and brought back to Madison County where he was lodged for Trafficking with an Inmate, Level 5 Felony, and Bribery, Level 5 Felony.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Pendleton District 51

John Levi Bird, 16, of Pekin, Ind., shot by another juvenile

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Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 9:41 PM

Washington County – Tuesday in the early afternoon hours, John Levi Bird, 16, from Pekin, IN, was shot by another juvenile. The shooting took place in a barn located near 10825 Honey Run Road in Washington County near Pekin.

The preliminary investigation has revealed the two juveniles were in a barn near the above mentioned location when one of the juveniles picked up a weapon that was located in the barn. When the juvenile picked up the weapon, he pulled the trigger, firing the weapon while it was pointed towards the victim, John Levi Bird. After John Levi Bird was shot he was transported by personal vehicle to the St. Vincent Hospital in Salem, IN. He was later transported by air ambulance to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with life-threatening injuries from the gunshot wound.

The shooter, a teenage male from the Pekin, IN area, was taken into custody by a detective from the Indiana State Police and transported to the Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center on the charge of Juvenile Delinquency.

Officers from the New Pekin Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department assisted Indiana State Police Detectives and Indiana State Police Crime Scene Technicians.

This investigation is continuing. No further information can or will be released at this time.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Sellersburg District 45

David Lee Burchett, 32, of Cloverdale, Arrested for Armed Robbery

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Monday, May 8, 2017, 8:50 PM

Putnam County – A joint investigation involving Cloverdale Police Department, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Indiana State Police, has resulted in the arrest of an armed robbery suspect.

Arrested: David Lee Burchett, age 32, of Cloverdale, IN.

Charges: (1) Count of Robbery; (1) Count of Pointing a Firearm; (1) Count of Intimidation

Incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail

On Thursday, April 6, 2017, at approximately 12:19 a.m., Putnam County 911 received a call from the Casey’s gas station at 355 North Main Street in Cloverdale, reporting an armed robbery. The suspect was a white male 5-08 to 6-00 tall, wearing a black bandanna over his face, black baseball style cap, and dark clothing. The suspect brandished a black revolver style handgun and demanded money and cigarettes, in which he received approximately $300 and approximately 14 cartons of cigarettes. The suspect then fled north from the store. Over the next several minutes, officers from the three agencies searched the area but were not able to locate the man.

Hours later at approximately 8:50 a.m., Putnam County 911 received a domestic battery call from 250 South Lafayette Street, Apartment 1. Officers responded and noticed the domestic battery suspect appeared to match the description of the earlier armed robbery suspect. Officers arrested David L. Burchett for domestic battery and continued their investigation into the armed robbery.

Over the next few days, surveillance footage was reviewed, search warrants on the apartment and Burchett’s vehicle were executed, and several interviews were conducted. All leading to the Putnam County arrest warrant for David L. Burchett.

The Putnam County arrest warrant was issued this morning, and Cloverdale Police Officer David Brown spotted David Burchett around 4:20 this afternoon, operating his vehicle westbound from Cloverdale on State Road 42. A traffic stop was initiated and Burchett was taken into custody without incident by Cloverdale Officer David Brown, Marshal Steve Hibler, and Master Trooper DuJuan Presley-McFadden.

The lead investigating officer on this case was Cloverdale Police Officer David Brown. Assisting were Cloverdale Town Marshal Steve Hibler; ISP Putnamville Detectives Sergeant Sam Stearley and Troy Cobb, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, and the Office of Putnam County Prosecutor Timothy Bookwalter.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Putnamville District 53