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Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division

Cedar Lake Teen Seriously Injured in ATV Crash

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Saturday, April 22, 2017, 9:49 PM

Cedar Lake, IN – Indiana Conservation Officer Corporal Matt Shurr is investigating an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) crash that resulted in serious bodily injuries during the afternoon hours of April 22nd, 2017.

Preliminary investigation revealed at approximately 4:00 PM Saturday afternoon, a 16-year-old male was operating his ATV after completing maintenance on the machine when the crash occurred. The operator stated he hit a jump and landed improperly, causing the ATV to eject him and roll on top of him.

The crash resulted in the juvenile suffering a lacerated liver and a collapsed lung. An experienced racer, the operator was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash which likely prevented further injury.

The juvenile was transported to St. Anthony’s hospital in Crown Point and later airlifted to Loyola University Hospital in Chicago by Life Star in serious condition.

Indiana Conservation Officers strongly recommend wearing appropriate safety gear when operating an ATV including a helmet, proper riding boots, and a chest protector among other safety gear.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division

Glen R. Weldon, 21, of Mongo, Charged with Arson

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Friday, April 7, 2017, 5:00 PM

LaGrange, IN – Indiana Conservation Officers have conducted an arson investigation resulting in charges against Glen R. Weldon, 21, of Mongo.

Weldon was booked into the LaGrange County Jail today on multiple charges, including five counts of arson, a Level 4 felony, and six counts of criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor.

Conservation Officers initiated the investigation in February after several wildland fires occurred on and around the Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area. Several other suspicious wildland fires have occurred since on both state and private properties in LaGrange and Steuben Counties.

On March 22, a wildland fire was reported near Mongo in LaGrange County. After the Mongo Volunteer Firefighters extinguished the fire, an Indiana Conservation Officer interviewed Weldon, who confessed to intentionally setting several fires in the area since February.

Conservation Officers were assisted in the investigation by the LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department, a Marion Fire Department canine named “Jersey” and her handler of the Marion Fire Department, LaGrange Fire Department, Mongo Fire Department and Orland Fire Department, Indiana DNR Wildland Firefighters and Personnel employed at the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area, Orland Volunteer Fire Department, Howe Fire Department.

All charges are merely allegations and all people are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division

Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Hosts Largest Indoor Archery Tournament Today

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The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) continues to grow in Indiana. Over 425 schools have the NASP program as part of the curriculum. The program is affecting approximately 60,000 students annually.

The DNR Law Enforcement Division has certified over 1700 teachers as instructors in the NASP program.  The Division is working with schools across the state with the ambitious goal of adding a minimum of 45 schools a year.  Students participate by shooting a Genesis compound bow at an international competition scoring target.  The program has shown results of improving student attendance, attitude, behavior, and overall learning experience. It teaches the students to be safe, courteous, and sportsmanship as well as other life skills.

Students are given an opportunity to join competitive archery teams to represent their schools at tournaments across the state.  In January, over 3,300 shooters participated in qualifying events which were held to obtain an invitation to the state tournament. While not all the teams qualify for this event, the lessons the program is designed to teach will be achieved by everyone who participates in the program at any level.

“NASP has created an opportunity for anyone to join a team and compete at all levels. While the program has incorporated some competition, the main focus is to teach life skills that can be used in everyday situations”, said Outdoor Education Lt. Larry Morrison.  “Archery teaches concentration, poise, relaxation and commitment to practice, which translates to a better student in the classroom”.

“Approximately 2700 competitive shooters representing over 150 qualifying schools statewide will be competing on the international bullseye target range and NASP/IBO 3-D Challenge at this year’s State NASP tournament”, said Outdoor Education Coordinator Chris Clark.

The Indiana State NASP tournament will be held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Blue Ribbon and Champions Pavilion on Saturday, March 11th, beginning at 7:30 A.M.

For more information visit the Indiana NASP website:  http://indiananasp.com/

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division