From the North Judson Police Department:
Incidents:
03/14/14 North Judson Police Officer Frank Thomas responded to a possible intoxicated driver call east of North Judson on State Road 10. Officer Thomas checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
03/13/14 A North Judson resident reported to North Judson Officer Nick Vanni, that she was contacted on Facebook by a subject claiming to be in the military stationed in Afghanistan. The subject requested the residents bank information so he could mail some money back home. The residents bank caught the transaction and was able to stop it before money could be taken out. This is one of the new scams out there.
The North Judson Police Department would like to warn residents to avoid giving out any bank, credit card or debit card and Social Security information over the phone or on the internet. If the resident does not know the person contacting them. Do not give anyone your account numbers and never send cash or money up front for anything. Scam artists use western union money gram, green dot money packs, and paid up money packs or gift cards, because these items are not traceable and you cannot stop payment and get your money back. North Judson Chief Vessely said call police first if you are not sure or call the Better Business Bureau.
03/12/14 – North Judson Police Chief Deputy Joe Budner responded to a slide off on State Road 10 East of Oakwood Street. There was no damage to the vehicle.
03/11/14 A resident from San Pierre found an item belonging to a male subject that was arrested previously by the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.
03/11/14 North Judson Police Officer Nick Vanni responded to a slide off on State Road 10 East of U.S. Highway 421. There was no damage to the vehicle.
03/09/14 North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely was dispatched to a welfare check in the 400 block of E. Talmer Avenue reference to a woman almost hit by a vehicle on the roadway. Chief Vessely did not locate the female subject. The officer was then dispatched to Dollar General in reference to a female subject matching the description from the previous call and the woman was acting suspicious and possibly shoplifting. Chief Vessely arrived and after a brief investigation arrested Lisa K. Fields, 44, of Rensselaer, for Public Intoxication and Conversion.
03/09/14 North Judson Police Officer Chris Kisela was dispatched to the 400 block of Keller Ave. After a brief investigation, Officer Kisela arrested Julie M. Serrano, 21, of 404 Keller Ave. for Battery, Battery on Law Enforcement, Battery by Bodily Waste, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Mischief. Deputy Sheriff Skip Tomasko assisted with the arrest.
03/09/14 A citizen reported to North Judson police that a woman was walking in the highway on State Road 10. Chief Vessely responded and after an investigation the woman was located inside of the Dollar General store and arrested for Public Intoxication and Conversion. Arrested was 44-year-old Lisa Field of Rensselaer.
03/08/14 North Judson police were advised of an unwanted guest in the 400 block of Keller Avenue. When officers arrived, the subject had already fled the residence on foot. Nothing further was needed.
03/07/14 A mother told police she is concerned about her daughter’s Facebook account activity being text to another family member, from a non-related person.
03/07/14 North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely responded to a property damage accident at the Family Express parking lot. A vehicle pulling out of the lot traveling west through the lot was struck by another vehicle pulling away from the gas pump island. No injuries were reported and Vessely estimated damages at over $2,000.
03/06/14 North Judson Police and the Starke County Coroner continue to investigate a death in the 100 block of Sycamore Street. Chief Deputy Joe Budner responded to a call along with Starke County EMS and discovered a deceased person. North Judson Chief Doug Vessely assisted in the investigation and stated, “At this time, we believe no foul play has been involved and are awaiting the final reports from the Coroner’s Office. It appears to be a natural death.”
03/05/14 Shortly after noon, police investigated a traffic accident at the intersection of Collins Street and Main Street. A 1997 Chevy pickup truck, being driven by Kaylee Lovas of North Judson, was heading north on Collins Street. The driver stated she went to apply her brakes and the truck started to slide on the snow-covered roadway. The truck slid into the intersection of Main Street and struck a 1995 Oldsmobile four-door sedan. The driver of the car, William Unruh also of North Judson, stated he observed the truck sliding into the intersection and accelerated to avoid being struck. His car was struck in the drivers side door area. North Judson Chief Deputy Joe Budner investigated the accident and estimated damages at over $7,000. Two subjects were transported to IU Health Starke Hospital by Starke County EMS. The North Judson Wayne Township Fire Department firefighters assisted at the accident scene. It was snowing at the time of the accident.
03/05/14 Police were called in reference to a fraud case where a family member had cashed an insufficient fund check and the dollar amount was taken from their checking account. The parties involved were advised it is a civil claim and not a criminal complaint as long as both parties were on the same checking account.
03/04/13 Officers took a report of telephone harassment. Both parties admitted to calling and/or texting each other several times. Both were advised to stop responding to each other’s messages.
03/03/14 A minor property damage accident occurred in the North Judson-San Pierre High School parking lot after school. A vehicle was leaving the lot when they had to back up to go around another parked vehicle, and backed into the car behind them. North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely estimated damages at near $2,000 and no injuries were reported.
03/03/14 A damage only accident occurred in the North Judson-San Pierre High School parking lot around 6 p.m. when a vehicle pulled out of a parked space and struck another car that was going straight in the lot. North Judson Officer Nick Vanni estimated damage at over $2,500. No injuries were reported nor citations issued.
Drive Carefully:
Police responded to and have investigated four traffic accidents this past week, within a four day period making a total of 13 for the year-to-date in 2014. The total accidents reported to the Indiana State Police Crash Report site in 2013 for the North Judson Police was 58.
“The number of accidents puts us about average for the year, however four in four days is a little concerning,” North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely commented. “I think as the weather clears and it starts to warm up, we all have cabin fever, and might tend to drive somewhat faster. Just remember, we still have many slick spots and ice patches. This past week and throughout the year we cover many accidents from parking lots in town. Try to use extra caution when moving in and out of a lot, or in and out of a parking space and you may avoid an unnecessary fender bender. Be aware of your surroundings, slow down, watch, listen, and don’t try to guess what the other vehicle might do.”
Arrests:
03/09/14 Julie M. Serrano, 21, 404 Keller Ave., North Judson, IN, arrested for Battery, Battery on Law Enforcement, Battery by Bodily Waste, Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Mischief.
03/09/14 Lisa K. Field, of Rensselaer, IN arrested on preliminary charges of Public Intoxication and Conversion.
North Judson Police Department Monthly Report – February
From the Starke County Sheriff’s Department:
Incidents:
03/12/14 – A hit and run was reported near the intersection of U.S. 421 and State Road 10.
03/12/14 – A hit and run was reported on U.S. 30 near Grovertown.
03/14/14 – A resident of the 5400 block of South 250 West in North Judson reported two men broke into her residence, punched her and began battering her husband.
03/15/14 – A resident of the 8900 block of South Main Street in Ora reported items stolen from his shed.
Arrests:
03/13/14 – Eric Dwight Taylor, 36 of Walkerton, was arrested on charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of a Precursor by a Methamphetamine Offender, Common Nuisance, Possession of Chemical Agents or Precursors, Possession of a Syringe, and Possession of Methamphetamine.
From the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department:
Incidents:
03/12/14 – Winamac Fire Dept. responds to smoke coming out of an air conditioner on a rooftop.
03/12/14 – Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department respond when two girls are caught allegedly stealing some items.
03/12/14 – Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department respond to a claim of someone stealing the gas out of their car and and lawn mower.
03/12/14 – Buffalo Fire Dept., Francesville Fire Dept., and Star City Fire Dept. were called out to assist with a fire in White County.
03/12/14 – Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department respond when a woman came to the station and requested to file assault charges against the suspect who allegedly attacked her.
03/12/14 – Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department get involved when $1,000 goes missing from a Superintendent’s office.
03/12/14 – Deputies with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department insisted a man leave a residence when he was no longer welcomed there.
Arrests:
03/10/14 – Caleb Andrew Neeley, 20 of Francesville, was arrested on charges of Minor Consumption.
03/10/14 – Marla Marie Freeman, 42 of Winamac, was arrested on a warrant for probation revocation.
03/18/14 – Kelcie Carlean Miller, 22 of Valparaiso, was arrested on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance.
03/20/14 – Steven Craig Decker, 27 of Winamac, was arrested on charges of Neglect of a Dependent.
