If you were in the South Bend area last night and saw a crash involving a marked Indiana State Police Car and a Hyundai Elantra, the police want to talk to you. The wreck occurred around 8 p.m. at the intersection of Ireland and Linden Roads. Authorities say Trooper William B. Ennis was westbound on Ireland Road approaching the intersection with Linden Road in his marked police car with his red and blue emergency lights activated. A 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by 19-year-old Robert Lee Perez of Mishawaka was southbound on Linden Road, entered the intersection and was struck broadside by Ennis’ police car. Perez was trapped in his car and was extricated by the South Bend Fire Department. He’s in critical condition at a South Bend hospital. His passenger, 20-year-old Danielle Cutler of South Bend is in serious condition, according to authorities. Ennis suffered injuries to his hip and lower extremities. He’s also in the hospital and is in stable condition. Continue reading
Snow keeps state troopers busy
State troopers throughout the Lowell district, which includes most of the WKVI listening area, were out in force yesterday. Snow started falling around lunchtime and continued into the evening hours. During that time and until 8 this morning they worked 63 property damage crashes and seven personal injury wrecks, none of which were life-threatening. They also responded to 61 slide-offs and numerous assisting motorist calls. Those numbers are for the entire Lowell District, which includes areas north and west of here.
LaPorte Man Arrested, Charged with Child Solicitation
Early Friday afternoon, Indiana State Police Detective Jennifer Richmond, assigned to the Crimes Against Children unit, arrested Christopher Albin, 23 of LaPorte, at his residence at 808 Virginia Avenue on charges of Child Solicitation as a Class C felony.
Social Media Investigation Seminar Planned in Virginia
Information will be provided that criminal investigators, criminal intelligence analysts, special agents and prosecutors need to know to more effectively protect their communities as technology becomes more prevalent.
Oregon-Davis Graduate Hospitalized After Single-Vehicle Crash
An Oregon-Davis High School graduate who is widely known for her musical talent is hospitalized in Fort Wayne following a single-vehicle crash last night in Miami County. Lorrin Awald, 20, is in critical condition at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne after the truck she was driving reportedly hit a patch of black ice on State Road 16 near Denver and rolled over. The crash occurred about 10 minutes after 10 last night, according to the Indiana State Police. Three other passengers were taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Plymouth. There’s no word on their conditions. Awald is a 2011 graduate of Oregon-Davis High School. She wrote a song in memory of her cousin, Knox High School drum major Drew Shearin, who was killed in a single-vehicle accident in October of 2011 east of Knox on State Road 8 when his car struck a telephone pole.
Marshall County meth suspects jailed without bond
Mary Perren
A Marshall County man and woman are jailed without bond after police found multiple meth labs in their Argos home. Officers with the Undercover Narcotics Investigation Team, Indiana State Police and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrested 43-year-old David Howe and 35-year-old Kristi Messick-Eswick, also known as Kristi Miller following a Monday search of their residence on Hickory Road. Their initial hearing in Marshall Superior Court is set for March 12. Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in Marshall County is urged to call the anonymous tip line at1-800-899-0842.
Culver Woman Loses Life in Marshall County Crash
A Culver woman lost her life in a single vehicle accident on State Road 17 in Marshall County. Shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, officers with the Indiana State Police and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department responded to the accident just west of the intersection of Quince Road near Plymouth.
Retirement Home Nurse Arrested for Theft of Credit Card, Medications
A quick investigation led to the arrest of a Lakeville woman after police were notified that a credit card belonging to a resident of Miller’s Merry Manor in Plymouth had been stolen. The Indiana State Police immediately launched their investigation, and it wasn’t long before a suspect was in custody.
Plymouth Schools Now in Session
Plymouth Schools are now in session after being placed on a two-hour delay for an alleged bomb threat that was reported at Plymouth High School.
The alleged threat was found on the wall of the boy’s bathroom yesterday afternoon stating that a bomb would go off in the high school library today at 12:30.
The Superintendent’s office has confirmed that the Plymouth Police Department did not find any evidence of a bomb and a thorough search conducted by the Indiana State Police and their bomb sniffing dogs this morning found nothing.
Additional police officers are present to provide extra security at the school corporation.
Plymouth Woman Arrested on Drug Charges Following Investigation
The Plymouth Police Department arrested a Plymouth woman after police executed a search warrant at 822 W. Monroe St.
On Sunday morning, officers from the Plymouth Police Department, Indiana State Police and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department went to the residence after complaints were received over the Drug Task Force tip line along with another investigation.
Five LaPorte Men Arrested on Federal Drug Charges
Five LaPorte men were taken into custody Tuesday night on federal drug charges.
Richard “Ricky” Ruiz and Zacharias Cisneros were arrested on charges of Distribution of Cocaine and Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess Cocaine; Oscar Arzate and Juan Gallardo were arrested on charges of Distribution of Cocaine, and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess Cocaine; and Leobardo Campos was arrested on charges of Possession with the Intent to Distribute Cocaine and Conspiracy to Manufacture, Distribute and Possess Cocaine.
State Police To Conduct Enforcement Patrols Through Dec. 2
State Police troopers will be conducting high-visibility enforcement patrols beginning Friday through Dec. 2.
These patrols, including sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, will target impaired drivers and unrestrained motorists during the Thanksgiving holiday. Alcohol-impaired driving in Indiana was linked to 140 deaths last year.
About 250 police agencies around the state will be taking part in this enforcement effort.
Indiana State Police Ramping Up Safety Patrols
The Indiana State Police Post troopers are working hard to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on the roadways.
Troopers have been utilizing both marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as aircraft and vehicles that look like INDOT work trucks to patrol for speeders, drivers who are following too closely, lane restrictions and unsafe lane movement.
Twenty-six crash blitzes have been conducted this year to bring awareness to the issue of unsafe driving. Those blitzes have resulted in a total of 3,018 tickets and warnings being issued. Nineteen arrests were made in some of those cases.
Traffic safety is a continuing partnership between motorists and law enforcement.
Pursuit Suspect Arrested in Lake County; Starke County Charges Pending
A pursuit incident that began in Starke County ended with the suspect being placed behind bars in Porter County.
An Indiana State Police trooper pulled over a car on U.S. 30 driven by Michael J. Ostrowski of Loves Park, Illinois as the trooper found Ostrowski was driving 90 mph in a 60 mph speed zone. Ostrowski reportedly told the trooper that he had no driver’s license or identification on him. He was able to produce registration but stated that he was not the owner of the car, although the person listed on the registration was Ostrowski.
Woman Arrested on Warrant for Murder in LaPorte
A Crown Point woman was arrested yesterday morning for a murder that happened more than ten years ago. The warrant was issued out of Prescott, Ariz., for first-degree murder.
Indiana State Police Detective Chris Campione worked with the Prescott Police Department to track down Joan Leslie Carpenter, 61 of Crown Point, and located her in LaPorte County. The warrant stems from an investigation into the murder of Carpenter’s husband in June 2002 while the pair resided in Prescott. Shortly after her husband’s murder, Carpenter returned to Indiana, but additional information that had been received by Prescott Police this past year led to the warrant being issued for her arrest.
Department of Corrections Van Involved in Pulaski County Accident
A Department of Corrections van was involved in a crash in Pulaski County on Thursday.
The DOC van, driven by 32-year-old Michael Ritchey, of Rockville, was driving south on State Road 39 when he reportedly failed to yield to the right of way at the intersection with State Road 14 in Pulaski County.
Local State Troopers Honored by State Police For Service
The Indiana State Police Department recently held an awards and recognition ceremony for several troopers in honor of their dedication to service, bravery and devotion to the department and to the citizens.
Corporal Dan Becker, 42, from the Lowell Post was presented the Life Saving Award. Becker, a member of the Patriot Guard, was in a procession escorting the body of Spc. Robert Tauteris Jr., when an accident occurred along U.S. 30 on Jan. 14.
DEA, State Police To Partner In Prescription Drug Take Back
The DEA and the Indiana State Police are partnering in an effort to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft in a program entitled “Prescription Drug Take Back.”
This event allows everyone to drop off any expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs at an Indiana State Police Post on Saturday, Sept. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. This is a free and anonymous service with no questions asked. This program is intended for liquid and pill medications only; no new or used needles will be accepted.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department is taking unwanted prescriptions this week through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prescription medication will also be taken Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the sheriff’s department. Sheriff Oscar Cowen asks that you be diligent in taking part in this program to help eradicate the abuse of prescription drugs.
Four Arrested after Rolling Meth Lab Found in Vehicle in Marshall County
Four people were arrested Monday in Marshall County after Indiana State Police officers found them to be in a stolen vehicle with a rolling meth lab.
Officers received information of an erratic driver headed eastbound on U.S. 30 near Oak Road in Plymouth. The vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation and during routine questioning of the driver, 49-year-old Bradley Shopoff of Fort Wayne, police learned the vehicle had been stolen out of Fort Wayne and a meth lab was in the car.
State Police Weekend Enforcement Campaign Totals 360 Arrests
The Indiana State Police conducted a statewide enforcement campaign over the weekend targeting impaired and dangerous drivers. Troopers throughout the state arrested 346 impaired drivers, issued 4105 tickets, 6646 written warnings and made 360 arrests for various criminal offenses.
Officers from the Lowell Post issued 437 of those tickets and made 38 impaired driving arrests and 22 criminal arrests. Bremen Post officers issued 236 tickets and had 21 impaired driving arrests and 6 criminal arrests.
