North Judson Police Chief Hires New Officer

Frank Thomas and North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely

North Judson Police Chief, Doug Vessely, announced the hire of a new officer at the recent Town Board meeting where he was introduced to the Board members.

Officer Frank Thomas attended the 193rd class at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield and graduated on Friday, September 30th. The course is 600 hours and includes academics, emergency vehicle operations, physical tactics, vehicle S.T.O.P.S. crash investigation, criminal investigations, patrol techniques, report writing, and standardized field sobriety training. Vessely stated that Officer Thomas passed every aspect of the training including firearms training where he qualified as an “expert”. He finished training with a 93.3 academic average.

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North Judson Police Investigate Vandalism at Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum

The North Judson Police Department investigated vandalism and damage to property at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum.

On Wednesday, April 6th, officer Dennis Fornelli located three juvenile males on the grounds of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, in and around the train cars. After a short time, the three were picked up and transported to their respective parents. The following morning, the volunteers at the Museum reported to officer Joe Budner that several train cars, the building, and equipment had been vandalized and damaged. Many windows were broken out as well. Police returned and conducted interviews with the three juveniles and learned they had done the damage. A complete investigative report was furnished to the Starke County Probation Department and the Prosecutor’s Office requesting charges and restitution from the juveniles.

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San Pierre Man Arrested on Charges of Armed Robbery; Felony Intimidation

Johnathan Chambers

An 18-year-old San Pierre man was arrested Wednesday night on preliminary charges of Armed Robbery and Felony Intimidation.

North Judson Police Chief, Doug Vessely, said that just after 8:30 p.m. CT, Johnathan Chambers, wearing a rubber mask and a camouflage jacket, entered the Carpenter’s Marathon Oil Station in North Judson with a knife and demanded cash from the gas station clerk. After he was unsuccessful in getting cash, Chambers was scared off and fled the area on foot.

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