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Crime

Kevin Brown, 25, of Swayzee, Arrested for Child Molestation in Miami County

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Monday, May 8, 2017, 4:52 PM

Miami County – Sunday, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Michelle Jumper resulted in the arrest of Kevin Brown, 25, Swayzee, IN, for a felony charge of child molestation.

Detective Jumper started an investigation after receiving information, from the Miami County Division of the Indiana Department of Child Services, that a Miami County girl had possibly been molested. Detective Jumper’s investigation revealed that Brown had allegedly committed a sexual act on a then 12-year-old girl. The alleged crime occurred at a Miami County home between August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016.

Yesterday, Brown surrendered to deputies at the Miami County Jail. He was then served a Miami Circuit Court arrest warrant alleging a single charge for child molestation.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Peru District 16

New Castle Man Arrested on Felony Charges

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Monday, May 8, 2017, 10:48 AM

New Castle – A New Castle man was arrested Saturday morning, May 6th, on felony charges after he allegedly tried to break down a door and gain entry into an occupied home. Henry County Dispatch put out a call of a homeowner at 7246 So. CR 200W holding an intruder at gunpoint around 7:44 a.m. Saturday morning.

Indiana State Police Sergeant Dave Whitinger overheard the call for assistance, was nearby and arrived at the residence just a couple minutes later. He arrived to find the homeowner on the front porch holding a long gun and the homeowners wife standing in the door way to the home on the phone with police dispatch. The alleged suspect, Casey McDonald, age 38 of New Castle, was seated in a chair on the front porch.

Sergeant Whitinger took McDonald into custody with Trooper Eric Downey and Henry County Deputies arriving a short time later. The family in the home explained how they had been awakened by the man banging against their back door with his shoulder attempting to break in. After telling his wife to call 9-1-1 the homeowner had went outside with his shotgun and held the suspect at gunpoint until police arrived.

Further investigation by officers revealed that McDonald had gained entry to the family’s garage before trying to break into the home. Trooper Eric Downey transported McDonald to the Henry County Jail where he was charged with Residential Entry, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Syringe, all three felony charges. McDonald’s car, which had been parked in the middle of the road, was towed from the scene.

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

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Pendleton District 51

John Johnson, 50, of Muncie, Demands a Ride from Cops, Gets Taken To Jail

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May 8, 2017 – 09:23 AM EDT

Muncie – Around 2 a.m. Saturday morning two troopers were driving through Muncie in an unmarked ISP vehicle, with the trooper driving being in plain clothes but the passenger, Trooper Lee Tinch, being in full ISP uniform. They were south bound on Walnut when, as they approached 8th St., a white male stumbled out into the road in their path.

As they neared the man he began shouting to them “Let me in, I’m tired of walking”-(expletives removed.) The man then attempted to get into their vehicle. Trooper Tinch exited in full uniform and began talking with the man, John Johnson, age 50 of Muncie. A field test revealed Mr. Johnson had a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit.

Further investigation revealed that Mr. Johnson was wanted on a warrant for Non Support of a Dependent and was also in possession of Marijuana. Due to his high blood alcohol level the troopers first gave Mr. Johnson a ride to I.U. Health Ball Hospital to be checked out.

After being cleared from there, troopers gave Mr. Johnson a ride to the Delaware County Jail where he was lodged for the Non Support of a Dependent warrant and misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana. As a reminder, if you’re going to be out celebrating please call a taxi, Uber or sober friend or family member for a ride. Always plan ahead and have a designated driver.

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

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Juvenile Involved in a Police Action Shooting After Vehicle Pursuit

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May 8, 2017 – 08:07 AM EDT

Elkhart, Indiana – Late Sunday evening, May 7, 2017, at approximately 11:10 p.m., a law enforcement officer of the Elkhart Police Department initiated a pursuit of a vehicle after observing traffic violations.

A short time later the pursuit ended near the area of County Road 20 and County Road 100 in Elkhart County, Indiana. The vehicle fled from the officer and entered the yard of a private residence where another officer from Norfolk Southern Railroad Police assisted. As the driver of the vehicle attempted to flee the area again, the Norfolk Southern Police officer discharged his weapon, striking the driver.

At this time, the driver, a juvenile, is being treated for a serious, but non-lethal, injury.

The Indiana State Police is continuing to investigate the facts and circumstances leading up to, and during, this incident with cooperation from the Elkhart Police Department and the Norfolk Southern Police Department. Norfolk Southern Police Department officers are official law enforcement officers in the State of Indiana, with full police powers.

Additional information will be released as is necessary to inform the public; however, this appears to be an isolated incident and no current threat to public safety appears imminent arising from this matter.

Please contact the Elkhart County Prosecutor’s office for further updates and information on this incident.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Putnamville 2017 Cinco de Mayo DUI Patrol Tally

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Saturday, May 6, 2017, 8:20 AM

Putnamville — Troopers from the Putnamville Post conducted a designated DUI (Driving Under the Influence) patrol Friday evening into the early morning hours of today. During the enforcement effort, troopers compiled the following:

Traffic citations…………………..32
Moving citations…………………..11
Traffic warnings…………………..99
Seatbelt citations…………………..4
Child Restraints citations…………..1
DUI arrests…………………………2
Minor Consuming arrests………….22
Criminal arrests……………………25 (mostly minor drug/alcohol violations)

The Indiana State Police Putnamville District will continue throughout the year to conduct random DUI patrols targeting dangerous and impaired driving. Drive sober or use alternate transportation. To report a suspected impaired driver dial 911.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Putnamville District 53

Timothy Wilson, 35, and Lindsey Jones, 31, both of Richmond, Arrested For Drug Possession

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Saturday, May 6, 2017, 7:33 AM

Wayne County – A Richmond couple were arrested last evening on Felony Drug Charges after the car they were driving was stopped for an equipment violation. At about 9:20 p.m. last evening trooper J.T. Burns was sitting on I-70 at the 139-mile marker, just past the Cambridge City exit, when he noticed a tan Buick driving by eastbound with a driver’s side headlight out.

Burns stopped the car to let the driver know he had a headlight out. The male driver, Timothy Wilson, age 35 of Richmond, told Burns that he and his female passenger, Lindsey Jones, age 31 of Richmond, had been living out of their car. Hagerstown Officer Ryan Clarke was summoned to the scene with his K-9 partner to do an open air sniff search of the vehicle.

The dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Cambridge City Officer Aaron Crawford and Trooper Josh Bayly arrived to assist in a search. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of Syringes, a small bag of Heroin and Marijuana. Lindsey Jones was also found to have Crystal Methamphetamine hidden on her person.

Wilson and Jones were arrested and charged with Possession of a Narcotic, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, all three level 6 felony charges. In addition, they were charged with misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana. They were both lodged in the Wayne County Jail. Anyone with information about illegal drug activity may call the Indiana State Police Drug Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.

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

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Pendleton District 51

State Police Investigating Death of Kasie R. Chivington, 25, of Whitley County

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Friday, May 5, 2017, 1:34 PM

Whitley County, IN – The Criminal Investigation Division of the Indiana State Police in Fort Wayne is investigating the death of a 25-year-old woman from Whitley County after she was admitted to a hospital following her arrest by the Whitley County Sheriff Department for an alleged possession of a controlled substance.

Preliminary investigation by Detective Andrew Mills indicates that on Wednesday, May 3, 2017, at approximately 11:10 p.m., 25-year-old Kasie R. Chivington was stopped by a Deputy from the Whitley County Sheriff Department for a traffic violation. During a subsequent investigation for operating while intoxicated, the Deputy determined that Chivington was in possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance, believed to be marijuana.

Chivington was taken into custody and placed into another Deputy’s patrol car. As Chivington was being transported to the Whitley County Jail, she began to have what was described as a medical issue. An ambulance was then summoned and Chivington was transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center, where at approximately 7:30 a.m. on May 4, 2017, she was pronounced dead. It is believed she swallowed a small plastic bag which contained an undetermined substance at some point during the traffic stop.

An investigation was immediately requested by the Sheriff of Whitley County to be conducted by the Indiana State Police. An autopsy was performed Friday morning in Fort Wayne and the Allen County Coroner’s Office will release those results when they become available.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Ft. Wayne District 22

Three Arrested in New Castle on Felony Drug Charges

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Thursday, May 4, 2017, 3:35 PM

New Castle – A New Castle man and two women were arrested last evening as the result of an ongoing drug investigation involving a Meth Suppression Trooper and State Parole Officers. Last evening around 6 p.m. troopers went to the residence at 811 South 17th St. to serve a search warrant as part of the ongoing investigation.

During their search troopers found Methamphetamine and personnel from the Department of Child Services had to remove two children from the home under the age of 5. Arrested was the children’s mother, Savannah Dorris, age 21, charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Neglect of a Dependent, all Level 6 Felony charges.

Also arrested was Savannah Dorris’s mother, Ty Dorris, age 50, charged with the same Level 6 charges. Dusty Kidd, age 36, was charged with a felony Parole Violation Warrant, Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance, all Level 6 Felony Charges.

Henry County Animal Control also had to be called to the residence to remove several dogs. Meth Suppression was assisted by State Parole, New Castle Police Department, Department of Child Services Henry County Department of Animal Control and Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs.

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

Driver with .37% BAC Arrested in Evansville

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Thursday, May 4, 2017, 1:28 PM

Vanderburgh County – Indiana State Police conducted a saturation patrol last night targeting impaired and dangerous drivers in Evansville. Between 4:00 and 11:00 p.m., Troopers issued 25 traffic tickets, 20 warnings, arrested three impaired drivers and arrested one driver for being a habitual traffic violator.

Arrested and Charges

Brittany Curtis, 26, Evansville

Curtis was stopped on Washington Avenue near Governor for having an expired license plate and for texting. When Trooper Campbell approached her vehicle he detected a strong odor of alcohol and marijuana. Field sobriety tests revealed Curtis was impaired, but she refused to submit to a chemical test. She was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.

  • Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
  • Driving While Intoxicated with a Prior DUI Arrest, Class 6 Felony

Chuck Becker, 29, Evansville

Becker was involved in a two-vehicle crash at First Avenue and Diamond Avenue. Further investigation revealed Becker had a blood alcohol content of .37%. He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail. The Evansville Police Department investigated the crash.

  • Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor

Amy Eaton, 35, Evansville

Eaton was stopped at Riverside Drive and Kentucky Avenue after she failed to use her turn signal when required. When Trooper Gramig approached the driver he detected signs of impairment. Field sobriety tests revealed she was impaired. She was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where further investigation revealed she was under the influence of marijuana and meth. She was also in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Eaton was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.

  • Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
  • Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

Robert Bowers, 54, Evansville

Bowers was stopped on SR 66 near First Avenue for a traffic violation. Further investigation by Trooper Rafferty revealed he was a Habitual Traffic Violator. He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail.

  • Habitual Traffic Violator, Class 6 Felony

The Indiana state Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Evansville District 35

Kayla Crawford, 19, Louisville, Arrested for Meth, Pot and Allegedly Biting an Officer

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Monday, May 1, 2017, 5:16 PM

Shortly after 10:00 this morning, Floyd County Dispatch received a report of a physical domestic disturbance on Interstate 64, near exit 119, and Indiana Conservation Officer Paul Crockett was nearby. Officer Crockett observed Crawford walking barefoot into oncoming interstate traffic, and she fled upon his commands to stop.

A foot pursuit ensued, and upon apprehension, Kayla Crawford allegedly bit a Milltown Police Officer, who had arrived to assist. After Crawford was taken into custody, she was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, multiple prescription pills, and marijuana.

Kayla Crawford, 19, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Battery on a Police Officer, and Resisting Law Enforcement.

Crawford was arrested and incarcerated at the Floyd County Jail -The other party involved in the domestic disturbance was not located at the scene. Assisting agencies included Milltown Police, Indiana State Police, and New Albany Police.

All charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement