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Delaware County

Stephanie J. Lee, 26, of Muncie, Arrested on Warrants & Meth Possession

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin at 07/12/2017 09:58 AM EDT

Muncie – A traffic stop for a speeding offense last night led to the discovery of Methamphetamine and a wanted subject. Last evening just after 6 p.m. Trooper Thomas Harbison clocked a white car east bound on SR332 at CR 700 W at 72 M.P.H. in the 55 M.P.H. zone.

Harbison got the car stopped and made contact with the driver, Stephanie J. Lee, age 26 of Muncie. As he spoke to the driver and her passenger, Harbison recognized the two from a previous investigation. Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy Jerry Parks was nearby and came to assist with his K-9 partner “Sabo.”

Sabo was walked around the outside of the vehicle and indicated the presence of narcotics. A search of the car turned up Methamphetamine. Further investigation revealed that Stephanie Lee was wanted on a warrant for Battery out of Marion County, and a warrant for Operating While Intoxicated and Driving While Suspended out of Muncie City Court.

Lee was arrested and transported to the Delaware County Jail for the two warrants, as well as being charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine. In addition she was issued traffic tickets for Speeding, Driving While License Suspended and Operating a car with False and Fictitious Registration Plates. As the saying goes, “criminals drive cars too,” and this arrest demonstrates how a “routine” traffic stop often leads troopers to other criminal activity when they “look beyond the ticket.”

Anyone with information about illegal drug use is encouraged to call the Pendleton Post at 1-800-527-4752, or the Indiana State Police Drug Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Tips can be made and kept anonymous. The Indiana Meth Investigation System or IMIS, can also take tips on meth labs. Just go to www.meth.in.gov and click on the “Report Suspected Meth Activity” Link.

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

Eddie Vance, 57, of Muncie, Arrested for Fleeing, Drug Possession, DUI, Battery on an Officer, and 9 Warrants

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Delaware County – Indiana Conservation Officers arrested Eddie Vance, 57, of Muncie, yesterday on multiple charges after he attempted to flee when officers initiated a traffic stop.

Conservation Officers Jordan Brand and Rhett Braun observed Vance operating a moped with no license plate in the area of Jackson St. and Ohio Ave. in Muncie. When the officers turned on their emergency lights and siren to initiate the stop, Vance crashed the moped and fled on foot.

When the officers caught Vance, he fought with them, biting one of the officers. A taser was used twice with no effect. Two anonymous citizens stepped in to help the officers subdue Vance. Vance was found to be in possession of cocaine and heroin.

Vance had received only minor scrapes, but was transported to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital to be checked for injuries and for a blood draw, before being booked into the Delaware County Jail.

Preliminary charges include driving under the influence of drugs, resisting law enforcement, battery on law enforcement, possession of cocaine, and possession of heroin. Vance also had 9 active warrants.

Indiana Conservation Officers wish to thank the anonymous citizens who came to their aid during the struggle.

 

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement District 4

Bicyclist Daniel Ratcliff, 17, Struck By Police Car in Muncie

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin on Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at 05:28 AM EDT.

Muncie – A Muncie teen was injured early Wednesday morning after he rode his bicycle into traffic on Hoyt Avenue at Memorial Drive. Troopers were summoned to the scene around 12:40 a.m. to investigate the crash.

The preliminary investigation by Pendleton District Trooper Lee Tinch indicates that Daniel Ratcliff, age 17 of Muncie, was riding a bike north bound on Hoyt Avenue around 12:30 a.m. when he ran the red light and entered into traffic at the intersection with Memorial Drive.

An east bound passenger car on Memorial Drive that was just pulling out with the green light was able to get stopped just before hitting the bicyclist. The bike continued on north across the street into the path of a west bound Muncie Police Department car that was approaching the intersection and also had the green light.

The Muncie Police Department car, driven by Officer Jacob Massoth, age 25, swerved to miss the bicyclist but was unable to avoid collision, hitting the bike with the left front of the car. Ratcliff was transported from the scene by Delaware County EMS to I.U. Health’s Ball Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

Trooper Tinch was assisted at the scene by the Muncie Fire Department, Delaware County EMS and Delaware County EMA. ISP Sergeant Dave Clayton, Trooper Coley McCutcheon, and Crash Reconstruction Investigators Trooper Nick Campbell and Trooper Nate Raney were also at the scene to assist Tinch with the investigation, which remains ongoing.

All Suspects 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

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

David Lee Vance Jr.,33, of Muncie, Stopped for Speeding, Arrested on Felony Warrant

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Thursday, April 20, 2017, 9:58 AM

Muncie – Tuesday night around 10:40 p.m. Trooper Lee Tinch was on 8th St. at Oakland Ave. in Muncie when he saw a Ford Ranger Pickup traveling well above the 30 M.P.H. speed limit. He clocked the vehicle at 52 M.P.H. then followed it as it turned onto Ribble Ave. without using a signal. He stopped the truck at Ribble and 9th St.

After making contact with the driver, David Lee Vance Jr., age 33 of Muncie, Tinch could smell marijuana in the vehicle. Trooper John Clawson arrived to assist, and a search turned up a small amount of marijuana. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Vance was wanted on a Delaware County Felony Warrant charging him with Kidnapping, Confinement and Battery Causing Injury.

Trooper Tinch took Vance into custody for the warrant and also charged him with Possession of Marijuana, misdemeanor, and speeding. He was lodged in the Delaware County Jail.

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

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Pendleton District 51

Jacob Morrisett, 35, of Tipton, Uninjured in Semi Rollover; I-69 in Delaware County Now Open

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Thursday, April 13, 2017, 9:32 AM

All lanes of I-69 have been reopened at the 238 MM in Delaware County.

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 8:33 AM

Delaware County – All lanes of I-69 have been reopened at the 238 MM in Delaware County.  Motorists should use caution as traffic will be slow through the area for some time.

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 8:09 AM

Delaware County – The semi tanker has been removed from the median at the 238-mile marker of I-69, and the right lane has been opened on both northbound and southbound I-69.  Hazmat crews are expecting it to take another hour before the left lanes can be reopened at the location.

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 6:46 AM

Delaware County – An early morning crash has had I-69 blocked in Delaware County and traffic snarled in the area.  Troopers got a report of a semi-tanker truck rolled over in the median at the 238-mile marker around 1:18 a.m. this morning.

When Trooper Brad Tucker arrived he found a tanker on its side in the southbound median and the driver, Jacob Morrisett age 35 of Tipton, out of the truck and uninjured. The tanker truck from CMC Transport of Tipton was hauling ethanol and was leaking.

Hazmat crews were called to the scene and the interstate was closed at their request. Northbound traffic is being exited off onto SR67 at the Daleville exit #234, and southbound traffic is being exited off at SR 332, exit #241. Motorists are being asked to avoid the area and to find alternate routes.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Morrisett lost control of the truck after it drifted off the right side of the road. He oversteered to the left, with the tanker going off the left berm and rolling into the median.

Crews are still working to offload the semi tanker so they can upright the truck.  It is expected the interstate may be closed for several more hours.

Trooper Tucker is being assisted by fire and police departments from Daleville, Chesterfield, Muncie and  Delaware County as well as local INDOT units.

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 3:01 AM

Delaware County – I-69 is closed at the 238-mile marker due to an overturned semi tanker truck. The truck, which was hauling ethanol, will have to be offloaded onto another tanker before being uprighted.  Hazmat crews at the scene are advising that it could take hours to offload the overturned tank.

I-69 northbound traffic, south of the scene, is being diverted off at the 234mm Daleville exit onto SR 67. Southbound traffic, north of the scene is being diverted off at the 241mm Muncie exit onto SR332. Motorists should avoid the area and seek alternate routes as the interstate may be closed for an undetermined amount of time.

Thursday, April 13, 2017, 2:24 AM

Delaware County – As a precautionary measure I-69 has been closed at the 238 MM due to a southbound tanker truck that has rolled over in the median.  The truck, which is hauling ethanol, is leaking into the median.

Northbound I-69 traffic is temporarily being diverted off onto SR67 at Daleville, and southbound traffic is being diverted off onto SR 332 at Muncie as fire crews at the scene work to stop the leak.  There were no injuries in the crash; However, motorists should seek an alternate route due to the closure.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Pendleton District 51