Four suspects were detained in a traffic stop in Winamac on Friday, March 13 on suspicion of their involvement in an alleged armed robbery incident in Knox earlier that night.
The traffic stop was conducted in the area of Spring Street and Monticello Street at 10:15 p.m. ET. According to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, the suspect’s vehicle was operating too close to another vehicle when the traffic stop was initiated.
Police say the adult driver had a permit violation and three juvenile occupants were from out of the county. The officer reportedly saw evidence of other crimes inside the vehicle which gave the officer probable cause to search the vehicle. The report also states that illegal contraband was found along with a large sum of cash, an air soft gun which was modified in appearance, and several other suspicious items.
As the traffic stop was nearing conclusion, police say the deputy received information that suspects in armed robberies in Fulton County and Starke County were still at large. After collecting descriptions and other significant details of the robberies, the deputy found probable cause to detain the four individuals from the traffic stop as he believed the four occupants to be the suspects in the auto part store robberies.
The four suspects were turned over to Fulton County, Rochester Police, Knox City Police and Starke County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation.
No other details about the robbery incidents have been released as officers continue their investigations.
