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Vigo County

Brandy N. Ellis, 36, of West Terre Haute, Arrested for Forgery, Theft, and Fraud

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Monday, April 10, 2017, 5:57 PM

Vigo County – This afternoon at 1:30, Indiana State Police Troopers from the Putnamville Post served a Vigo County Superior Court search warrant at 5481 West Old US 40, West Terre Haute, IN. The search warrant was sought and received by Trooper Michael Organ after a nearly week-long investigation into the unauthorized use of a rebate card. Trooper Organ conducted many interviews, followed up on various leads and viewed several minutes of surveillance footage to solve this case.

The investigation originated after a Parke County couple contacted Trooper Organ about the unauthorized use of an $800 rebate card from a national home improvement chain store in Terre Haute. The rebate was intended for the Parke County victims and at some point, intercepted by the suspect via the US Mail. The suspect and possibly others, then used the rebate card to purchase numerous items at the store, all of which were recovered at the residence. Also found at the home was a 1999 Dodge 3500 pickup, reported stolen to the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office on October 25, 2016. The truck was impound and the VCSO contacted.

The investigation ongoing and other developments may arise.

Brandy N. Ellis, age 36, of the address, was incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail on preliminary charges of Forgery, Theft, and Fraud.

Assisting Trooper Michael Organ today, were ISP Troopers Ted Robertson and Ty Lightle.

Brandy Ellis photo attached.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Putnamville District 53

Shawn Michael Caballero, 18, of Indianapolis, Arrested on Numerous Charges

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Monday, April 10, 2017, 5:29 PM

Vigo County – Around 2:30 this afternoon, Indiana State Police Region V Dispatch Center notified all Putnamville troopers that an armed robbery suspect from a Paris, Illinois pharmacy might be traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 from the state line area. The suspect was a black male driving a silver 2012 Chevrolet Malibu with Indiana registration (plate number officially omitted from release).

At 2:46, Indiana State Police Sergeant Joe Rutledge and Trooper Brent Robinson were working the construction zone near the nine-mile marker and spotted the eastbound suspect vehicle. The troopers attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect fled eastbound on I-70. While traveling recklessly through the construction zone, the suspect very nearly struck three construction men working near the center of the roadway, causing the three to quickly divert from their work area or risk being struck.

Troopers continued to pursue at speeds reaching a maximum of 110 miles-per-hour with other ISP troopers and Clay County Sheriff’s deputies deploying tire deflation devices in the eastbound lanes both west and east of State Road 59. The suspect avoided the first set west of SR 59 and attempted to avoid the second set east of SR 59 (Exit 23), and struck the inner guardrail. The suspect then veered into a white 2014 Ford pickup, driven by 47-year-old Shawn B. Riley of Moberly, Missouri forcing the Riley vehicle off the roadway. Following the collisions, the suspect vehicle became disabled in the roadway and the suspect was quickly taken into custody by ISP Sergeant Joe Rutledge and Trooper Brent Robinson.

During a search of the suspect vehicle, troopers believe they located clothing and pharmaceutical evidence related to the Paris, Illinois pharmacy robbery, as well as approximately 20 grams of suspected marijuana.

The suspect, 18-year old Shawn Michael Caballero of Indianapolis, IN. was incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail on preliminary charges of one count of Dealing Controlled Substance greater than 28 grams; four counts of Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle; One count of Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle; Possession of Marijuana with Prior Arrest; and Operating While Intoxicated-Refusal.

Assisting were ISP Sergeant Chris Wright, Master Trooper DuJuan Presley-McFadden, and Trooper Brian Thomas. Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, Brazil Police officers, and Lamberts Towing.

Pictures are from the scene. No injuries to driver or suspect were reported.

Direct questions concerning the pharmacy robbery to Paris, Illinois Police. No other information is available from ISP.

Direct ISP questions to Sergeant Joe Watts.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police – Putnamville District 53

Two Crashes on I-70 near Exit 7 in Vigo County Yesterday

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Saturday, April 8, 2017, 10:44 AM

Vigo County – Yesterday afternoon at 3:49 pm, Indiana State Police responded to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the seven-mile marker for a two semi crash.

Preliminary investigation revealed traffic was slow in the area, when a 2016 Freightliner tractor pulling a box trailer, driven by 23-year-old Kuldeep Singh Bhui of Bakersfield, California failed to slow and struck the rear of another tractor-trailer, a 2013 Freightliner pulling a box trailer, and driven by 55-year-old Debra Sanders of Massillon, Ohio.

Bhui was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for his injuries.

Bhui was driving for Prime Transport and Sanders was driving for ARE Logistics.

The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Kyle Hall. Assisting were ISP Troopers Todd Brown, David Petrowski, and Courtland Woodruff. Assisting were the Terre Haute Fire Department.

Second Crash at 7:20 pm

Nearly 3 ½ hours later at 7:20 pm, Indiana State Police responded to a crash in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near mile marker seven.

Two injuries were reported.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2013 Freightliner tractor, driven by Jeremy Womble of Farmington, Missouri, failed to slow and struck the rear of a 2014 Ford pickup, driven by Jack Winters of Buncombe, Illinois.

Jack Winters and his 17-year-old passenger, Marissa Homes, were treated at Terre Haute Regional Hospital for general pain.

No citations were issued.

The crash was investigated by ISP Trooper Rondell Shelton. Assisting were Troopers Kyle Hall, Brad Fyfe, and David Petrowski, and Terre Haute Fire Department.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police-Putnamville District 53