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Miami County

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

Zackariah Birdsong, 41, Kokomo, Severely Injured in Miami County Crash

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Tuesday, April 18, 2017, 1:16 PM

Bunker Hill – Today at approximately 7:37 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bunker Hill Police Department responded to a two vehicle crash, in which eight people were injured.

The preliminary crash investigation by Indiana State Police Sergeant Rick Brown revealed a 2004 Chrysler P.T. Cruiser, driven by Zackariah Birdsong, 41, Kokomo, IN, was traveling westbound on Miami County Road 800 South near Angling Road. For an undetermined reason, the Chrysler crossed the centerline into the eastbound lane. An eastbound 2007 Chevrolet passenger van, driven by Tracy Hullett, 49, Peru, IN, took evasive action and started into the westbound lane in an effort to avoid the Chrysler. The Chrysler’s driver corrected and tried to return to the westbound lane. The van’s driver then tried to return to the eastbound lane, but the vehicles crashed, head on, near the centerline.

Birdsong was flown, by a medical helicopter, to a Ft. Wayne hospital with life threatening injuries. Hullett was transported, by ambulance, to a Peru hospital with non-life threatening.

The van was an Indiana Department of Natural Resources vehicle, transporting a Department of Correction labor line crew from the Miami Correctional Facility. The nine member crew was in route to Mississinewa Lake State Park to conduct maintenance type work around the facility.

Six of the nine inmates were transported to hospitals with differing degrees of injuries sustained in the crash. Inmates Norman Clark, 61, and Joshua Kochell, 40, were flown, via medical helicopter, to a Ft Wayne hospital. They sustained severe but non-life threatening injuries. Inmates Shannon Reynolds, 32, Michael Buettgenbauch, 46, Purcell Turner Jr, 59, and Kevin Mullin, 60, were all transported, by ambulance, to a Kokomo hospital with non-life threatening injures. Inmates Joby Merrill, 45, William Spence, 48, and Shawn Trumbull, 49 were not injured.

This is an active investigation, but at time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the crash.

Two photos attached: Photo two is ISP Sgt. Rick Brown

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Peru District 16

Michael V. Rosa, 40, of Indianapolis, Arrested on Multiple Charges in Fulton County

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Wednesday, April 12, 2017, 4:30 PM

Fulton County – On April 10, 2017, at approximately 9:05 p.m. near Rochester, a stolen vehicle turned into a short pursuit with the suspect being taken into custody facing several felony charges.

Fulton County Dispatch put out a stolen vehicle taken in Rochester from the Speedway Gas Station. Trooper Matthew Moon was patrolling US 31 northbound near the location when he spotted a vehicle matching the description of the white 2010 Buick Lacrosse traveling southbound in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Trooper Moon turned around on the vehicle and was able to catch up to it and was following at excess of 100 mph. Trooper Moon activated his emergency lights and siren and the vehicle continued south on US 31. Traffic was light at the time and Trooper Moon continued to follow the Buick into Miami County. The driver continued to move from lane to lane reaching speeds of 113 mph.

At SR 16 in Miami County, Trooper Michael Meiser assisted in the pursuit and the driver slowed and pulled over just south of SR 16. The driver, identified as Michael V. Rosa, 40 of Indianapolis was taken into custody and arrested in Miami County for:

1) Resisting Law Enforcement (IC: 35-44.1-3-1) Level 6 Felony
2) Operating While Intoxicated/ Prior (IC: 9-30-5-3) Level 6 Felony
3) Intimidation against Public Official (IC: 35-45-2-1) Level 6 Felony
4) Battery by Bodily Waste (IC: 35-42-2-1) Level 6 Felony
5) Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (IC: 35-43-4-2(a)1(A)) Level 6 Felony
6) Operating While Intoxicated – Endangerment (IC: 9-30-5-2) A Misdemeanor
7) Possession of Marijuana (IC: 35-48-4-11) B Misdemeanor
8) Reckless Driving (IC: 9-21-8-52) C Misdemeanor

In Fulton County the initial charges will be:

1) Criminal Confinement (IC: 35-42-3-3(b)3(B)) Level 2 Felony
2) Robbery (IC: 35-42-5-1) Level 3 Felony
3) Auto Theft (IC: 35-43-4-3.5(b)) Level 6 Felony
4) Criminal Recklessness (IC: 35-42-2-2) B Misdemeanor

Rosa was very combative while in custody. He threatened officers with their lives and continued to try and spit on the officers. During the theft of the Buick, he dragged the owner of the Buick as she was removing her five-year-old child from the car.

Assisting at the scene was the Rochester Police Department and the Peru City Police department. The investigation is continuing.

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Peru District 16