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Indiana Crime

Shelbyville Man Arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Narcotics & Possession of Heroin

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Friday, March 24, 2017, 1:52 PM

Several alert drivers called 911 this morning to report an erratic driver on I-465 just before 12:00 p.m. Emergency dispatchers received reports of a maroon Chrysler van driving at a high rate of speed northbound near Brookville Road, and was striking the concrete median wall several times. According to callers the van was believed to be traveling in excess of 90 miles per hour at one point. The rear tire of the van blew out however it continued driving northbound on the shoulder. Troopers were able to catch the vehicle just south of Pendleton Pike and get it stopped safely.

During the course of the investigation the driver, who seemed disoriented and unsteady, was alllededly found to be in posession of heroin and prescription drugs. Field sobriety tests were conducted by Trooper Corey Berfield and based on the results 52 year old Brett Cooper of Shelbyville was arrested for driving under the influence of narcotics and possession of heroin. Medics were called to the scene as a precaution and Cooper was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Blood test results for intoxication are pending.

Cooper was arrested on preliminary charges, actual charges will be determined upon review by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Investigating Officer: Trooper Corey Berfield, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Master Trooper Shanna Kennedy, Master Trooper Matt Lawrence, Senior Trooper Stephon Mason, Trooper Susan Rinschler & K9 Maverick and Sgt. Dennis Scudder.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Feb 23 Update Delphi Homicides: Reward Up to $50,000

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Thursday, February 23, 2017, 3:52 PM

Delphi – Phone calls to the Delphi Murder Tip Line will now be answered at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Major Case Contact Center, in Washington D.C. The tip line number has not changed. It is still toll free at 1-844-459-5786. Information can also be reported by calling 1-800-225-5324 (800-Call FBI). Callers will have to follow a few prompts to report their information.

Information is still be accepted through email at Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com.

There is a $50,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams.

Information can be reported anonymously.

Thursday, February 23, 2017, 12:47 PM

At approximately 12:15 p.m. on February 14, 2017, the bodies of Abigail J. Williams, 13, and Liberty Rose Lynn German, 14, both from Delphi, IN, were found in a wooded area near the Delphi Historic Trail, east of Delphi, IN, in Carroll County. The teens had been reported missing the previous day by family members. Their bodies were discovered by volunteers who were helping in an organized search for the girls. Law enforcement is investigating the case as a double homicide.

Today, the reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in the murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams has increased to $50,000. The increase is because of a $9,000 dollar donation by the office of United States Representative Todd Rokita.

There have been approximately 3,900 tips received via phone and email. Approximately 1,900 of the tips were received after the release of a voice recovered from Liberty German’s cell phone.

The FBI is utilizing approximately 6,000 electronic bill boards, in 46 states, requesting information about this case.

The link of the audio of a suspect’s voice saying “down the hill” is available for download at www.in.gov/isp/delphi.htm.  The audio, and a previously released photo of a suspect, were obtained from the cell phone of Liberty German.

The Indiana State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department announced a monetary reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect or suspects in this case. The reward fund is currently at $50,000. The FBI has contributed $25.000, Indiana Packers Corporation has donated $10,000, the office of U.S. Representative Todd Rokita donated $9.000, and Lafayette Bank and Trust has donated $1,000.

The Indiana State Police Alliance (ISPA) has established an account for individuals or businesses wishing to donate to the Delphi Reward Fund. Checks should be made payable to the Indiana State Police Alliance Foundation. “Delphi Reward” should be entered on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to 1415 Shelby Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46203.

Citizens can provide information about this case by calling the Delphi Murder Tip Line at 1-844-459-5786.  Tips can also be reported by emailing Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com. Information can be reported anonymously.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Logan Edwards IV of Indianapolis Leads Police on 85mph Chase, Crashes, Gets Arrested. Presumably.

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Sunday, February 19, 2017, 9:28 PM

An Indianapolis man led police on a chase through Shelby County that ended with him crashing into a curb at John Street and Harrison Street in Shelbyville.

Just after 4:00 p.m. Trooper Jonathan Haugh was attempting to stop a red 2005 Mustang for speeding on I-74 near the 105 mile marker for allegedly driving 85 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. The Mustang initially pulled to the shoulder and slowed down before speeding away from the trooper. The pursuit continued on I-74 for nearly 8 miles until the Mustang made a sudden exit onto SR 9 southbound. Trooper Haugh was unable to safely exit without causing other vehicles around him to crash so he continued past the exit and pulled to the shoulder when traffic cleared he was able to back up to the exit. Fortunately, the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department had arrived to assist and they were able to continue pursuing the Mustang. A short time after exiting off I-74 the Mustang crashed over a curb, disabling the vehicle.

The suspect, 30-year-old Logan Edwards IV of Indianapolis, was taken into custody without further incident. He was arrested for fleeing from police, operating a vehicle while intoxicated (narcotics) as well as an outstanding arrest warrant from Johnson County for possession of marijuana. Edwards IV is suspected to have been under the influence of Heroin while fleeing from police. He was lodged in the Shelby County Jail, the results of a certified blood test for intoxication are pending.

All charges listed are merely accusations, the Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office will determine formal charges upon review of the case. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Trooper Haugh was assisted by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Shelbyville Police Department, Trooper Jacob Wildauer and Phelps Wrecker Service.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police-Indianapolis District 52

Police Impersonator Arrested in Boone County

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Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 4:27 PM

A police impersonator was arrested on I-65 near Lebanon yesterday after being pulled over by the Indiana State Police. February 14th, 2017, at approximately 11:45 a.m.Trooper Luis Deffit was patrolling I-65 near the 136 mile marker when he saw a black SUV going 87 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone. The 2013 Honda was pulled over for speeding at the 135.7 mile marker on I-65 southbound. Keith Neher, the driver of the Honda, verbally identified himself to Deffit as a police officer and produced a badge as well as a police identification card. He told the trooper he was a reserve police officer.

Based on Neher’s behavior Trooper Deffit was suspicious of the possibility of him being a police officer. Further investigation determined Neher was a former police officer, however he resigned in 2013 and currently has no police powers. Three handguns were found inside the vehicle. The guns, along with the badge and police identification were taken as evidence. Neher was arrested and transported to the Boone County Jail.

This is an ongoing investigation, since an arrest was made any further inquires into the status of this case should be made to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The Indiana State Police would like to offer the following tips to help determine accurate identification of police officers;

  • In the state of Indiana a police officer MUST either be in a marked police car, or in a police uniform to pull a car over.
  • If you’re being stopped by an unmarked police car, or a car your unable to determine to be a police car, you should;
    • Activate your flashers to acknowledge the officer
    • Turn on your interior lights
    • Continue driving at or below the posted speed limit
    • Find a well lit, well populated area to stop
    • It is acceptable to call 911 and give your location if you’re unsure if the police officer is legitimate.

Police report suspected police impersonators to your local police or by calling 911.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police-Indianapolis District 52

[UPDATE 2/16] Shelbyville City Police Respond to Report of Shots Fired Inside a Home

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Thursday February 16, 2017, 2:23 PM

February 15th, 2017, an autopsy on the remains of Steven Oliger was conducted by Coroner Robbie Stonebraker and Forensic Pathologist Dr. Sozio . Preliminary results of the autopsy indicate the bullet that struck Oliger was a .223 caliber round fired from the rifle of a Shelbyville Police Officer. The official autopsy report will not be available for several weeks.

The Indiana State Police continues to investigate the circumstances of this police action shooting. Chief Wiedner of the Shelbyville Police Department does not wish to release the identity of the involved officers at this point.

There is no further information to release at this time. The original release is below.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017, 4:31 AM

Late Tuesday evening of February 14th the Shelbyville City Police Department contacted the Indiana State Police to conduct an investigation of a police action shooting involving a member of the Shelbyville City Police Department.

Preliminary investigation by the state police has determined that shortly after 10:30 p.m. on the evening of February 14th officers of the Shelbyville Police Department responded to the report of shots fired inside a home located at 1103 Fallway Court, Shelbyville, IN 46176.  One officer arrived at the front of the address and spoke with a family member standing outside the home as two other Shelbyville City officers arrived and approached the back of the house off of Premiere Street.

As the two officers approached the home they saw a person later identified as Steven C. Oliger, 64, who was a resident of the home, on the back deck of the home, and he was armed with a revolver.  The two officers reportedly yelled out to the officer at the front of the house that there was an armed person on the back deck at which time Oliger is reported to have fired a shot from his revolver.  The officer at the front of the house then approached from the east side of the home and fired one shot from a .223 rifle toward the direction of Oliger, at which time Oliger fell onto the deck of the home and was later pronounced dead at the scene from an apparent gunshot wound to his head.

Members of the state police were at the scene through the evening and into the morning hours of February 15th continuing the investigation.  It is expected there will be an autopsy later in the day of February 15th to determine Oliger’s cause of death.

It is important to note this investigation is only a few hours old and it is not conclusive that the gunshot wound Oliger suffered was the result of being shot by the Shelbyville police officer.  State police detectives are also investigating the possibility Oliger’s wound to the head may have been self-inflicted with the revolver from which he had previously fired at least two shots.  It is anticipated the autopsy should provide more definitive information about the cause and manner of death.

Names of the involved Shelbyville police officers will be released by the Shelbyville Police Department within the next 72 hours.

No further information regarding this ongoing investigation is available at this time.  Once the autopsy has been completed there may be an update with preliminary information related to the cause and manner of death.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police-Indianapolis District 52