A Denham man accused of killing his live-in girlfriend will undergo a court-ordered mental competency evaluation. Pulaski Circuit Judge Michael Shurn assigned a psychiatrist to examine Paul Katschke. He’s charged with murder in connection with the Aug. 11 death of Amber Renee Taylor, 34. Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies and first responders found her dead at the couple’s home after receiving a 911 call about a dead, 30-something-year-old woman. Continue reading
A Denham man remains jailed without bond in Pulaski County, where he’s accused of killing his live-in girlfriend. Continue reading
The live-in boyfriend of a Denham woman found dead at her home Monday morning is still jailed in Pulaski County. Prosecutor Stacey Mrak tells WKVI News charges have not been filed yet in connection with the death of Amber Renee Taylor, 34. Continue reading
A Winamac man was arrested early Sunday morning after he was reportedly found in possession of methamphetamine.
A Winamac police officer saw a red vehicle in the parking lot by the Pulaski County Public Library with the driver present. The officer knew that vandalism was occurring to a structure by the library so he approached the car.
The Pulaski County Council approved an additional appropriation for the prosecutor’s office for a summer intern.
Prosecutor Stacey Mrak stressed that the money is not coming from the general fund even though it is appropriated money. She explained that the money is coming from the pre-trial diversion fund which can be used at the discretion of the prosecutor. The money needed to be transferred to another line item in the budget for payroll purposes.
The additional appropriation was for $2,700.
A Knox man was sentenced in Pulaski Circuit Court recently after pleading guilty to amended charges in a plea agreement with the State.
David Mattes, Sr. was charged with Stalking, a Class C Felony and Residential Entry, a Class D Felony after an August incident in which he allegedly entered a woman’s home in Pulaski County without permission.
In a hearing last week, Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak moved to amend the second count, Residential Entry, to a charge of Trespass as a Class A Misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty to that charge. Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn sentenced Mattes to 12 months in the Pulaski County Jail with 11 months suspended and to be served on probation. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim in this case.
An Illinois man was arrested in Pulaski County on Sunday after an alleged attempted rape incident.
The charging information indicates that Alexandros Kleronomos reportedly broke into the residence of the female victim in Winamac and stole items from the residence and while there, strangled the victim and attempted to rape her. He reportedly did this in the presence of a nine-year-old child. He also took the victim’s food stamps and keys in the incident. The Winamac Police Department responded to the call and arrested Kleronomos. He is currently in the Pulaski County Jail.
Nathan VanDerAa’s sentencing hearing in U.S. District Court has been continued to March. His sentencing hearing was scheduled for Friday, January 27th.
On June 3rd, 2011, VanDerAa was arrested on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine after a traffic stop and a few days later, Starke County officers arrived at his home in Star City and found that he was in the presence of a meth lab, firearms and ammunition. Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak filed methamphetamine related charges against him and the ATF was expected to file a federal charge for a firearm possession. Mrak recently dismissed the County’s charges against VanDerAa and they were transferred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Bend.
Jennifer A. Wallace was recently arrested by police from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department on charges of Theft.
According to court documents, an investigation showed that Wallace allegedly stole tanning product inventory and cash from Ladybug Laundry and Tan in Winamac. She allegedly took cash from the moneychanger. She was an employee at the time of her arrest.
Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak and the State of Indiana has filed two counts of Theft as a Class D Felony against Wallace. She has since bonded out of the Pulaski County Jail.
Federal charges have been filed against Nathan VanDerAa of Star City.
On June 3rd, VanDerAa was arrested on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine after a traffic stop and a few days later, Starke County officers arrived at his home in Star City and found that he was in the presence of a meth lab, firearms and ammunition. Pulaski County Prosecutor, Stacey Mrak, filed methamphetamine related charges against him and the ATF was expected to file a federal charge for a firearm possession. Mrak recently dismissed the County’s charges against VanDerAa and they were transferred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in South Bend. VanDerAa had his initial hearing in federal court in South Bend on July 6th.
Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak found herself in the hot seat in front of the Commissioners as she requested reimbursement for sales tax that was paid on some items bought from Sam’s Club and Walmart. When the chairs were purchased, one of the employees of the Prosecutor’s office did not use the tax exempt form, requiring them to pay the sales tax. Mrak said that sales tax has been reimbursed before, and she was unable to use any tax exempt forms at Walmart because the item was purchased online and shipped to the store.
Officers from the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Winamac woman on Sunday after police reportedly found heroin in her vehicle on a routine traffic stop on State Road 39 near 600 North.
Pulaski County Prosecutor Stacey Mrak told WKVI that when officers questioned 39-year-old Marla Freeman she said she had allegedly bought the drug while she was in Merrillville. She is facing a preliminary charge of Possession of Heroin. Police initially pulled her over after observing a headlight out on the vehicle.
The Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office has amended charges against Glen Sommers of Winamac who allegedly wielded a knife to his victim at the victim’s home in Pulaski County on February 4th. Sommers also allegedly stole a guitar from the victim.
Prosecutor Stacey Mrak told WKVI that Sommers is being charged with Robbery Resulting in Bodily Injury and Battery with a Deadly Weapon, both felony charges. He is in the Pulaski County jail with a $50,000 bond. Sommers had preliminary charges of Attempted Murder and Armed Robbery.
Sommers’ initial hearing was Monday in Pulaski Circuit Court where a plea of not guilty was given. A pretrial hearing will be held March 31st.
