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White County

Justin Dennis Altwein, 25 of Wausaukee, WI, Arrested After I-65 Altercation

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin at 07/06/2017 01:42 PM EDT

Tippecanoe County – Today at approximately 10:15 a.m. on I-65 southbound near the 200-mile marker (that is near the White/Jasper County Line, US 24/201 Exit), an altercation allegedly involving a gun occurred between two drivers with one ending up in jail.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Ben Rector has revealed the driver of a white 2013 Ford Focus had allegedly pointed a gun at the driver of a white semi as they were both traveling SB on I-65. The driver of the semi called the police to report the incident. He gave a description of the vehicle and troopers from the ISP post at Lafayette located the vehicle traveling SB near the 184 MM.

The vehicle exited at the SR 43/178 exit and troopers pulled the vehicle over. The driver exited the vehicle, made verbal and hand gestures to the troopers and took off running. Master Trooper Aaron McCormick and Trooper Nathan Hampton took off on foot in pursuit of the male subject. They chased him through the woods, then into a corn field and ended up in a bean field where he was apprehended by McCormick. The foot pursuit lasted about five minutes and was about a mile and a half in length.

The suspect and driver of the Focus was identified as Justin Dennis Altwein, 25 of Wausaukee, WI. He is being booked into the Tippecanoe County Jail on charges of a Felon in Possession of a Handgun and Resisting Law Enforcement. Other charges may be pending out of Jasper County. At this time, the female passenger in the Ford Focus is not being charged with any crime.

Trooper Rector was assisted by several troopers from the ISP Lafayette Post, Troopers from the Commercial Motor Carrier Section, Officers with the DNR and Jim’s Towing.

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

Lake Shafer Tubing Crash Results in Severe Injury and Arrests of John Mentel, 59, and Cole Hartman, 23

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Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 8:00 AM

Monticello, IN – Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boat crash that occurred on Memorial Day, on Lake Shafer. A man struck a pier while being towed on a tube.

On May 29, near 8 p.m., emergency personnel responded to a residence on Chamber Ct for a report of a man seriously injured after he, and his tube, collided with a dock support pole. The tube was being pulled by a 1993 Maxum ski boat. It was determined the occupant of the tube, Jason Mullendore, 31, of Lafayette, sustained a life-threatening leg injury and lost a considerable amount of blood. Emergency treatment was provided by bystanders and arriving personnel. Mullendore was transported to IU White Hospital by Monticello Fire Department Paramedics. Upon arriving at IU White Hospital, he was immediately flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.

Indiana Conservation Officer’s and White County Sheriff’s Deputies began their investigation and were told by several occupants of the boat that Britany Mentel, 24, Lafayette was operating the boat at the time of the crash. It was later determined that all of the adults in the boat fabricated their story about who was actually driving the boat.

It has been determined that the boat was actually being operated by John Mentel, 59, Monticello.

Mullendore underwent emergency surgery in Indianapolis and is in serious condition. The injury resulted in the loss of his lower leg.

The investigation on Tuesday, May 30, 2017, by Indiana Conservation Officer’s resulted in the arrests of:

  • John Mentel, 59, of Monticello for Misdemeanor False Informing
  • Cole Hartman, 23, of Delphi for Misdemeanor False Informing

Hartman and Mentel were booked into the White County Jail.

This investigation is ongoing and additional charges and the arrests of others involved are possible.

All suspects in any criminal case are merely accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court.

SOURCE: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement