Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall yesterday accepted plea agreements and sentenced three defendants. Dakota Rousch, 19, of Knox, was sentenced to two years in prison for attempted theft, two years in prison for assisting a criminal and two years in prison for residential entry. The sentences are to run consecutively, for a total of six years, with no time suspended. That sentence can be served on work release through Pulaski County. Continue reading
Second Suspect Arrested in Burglary Investigation
Another suspect has been arrested in a burglary investigation in Starke County.
On Feb. 16, a North Judson man called police to report that two men were coming out of his garage with his possessions and ran through the woods. Officers were able to track footprints to a neighboring pole barn to the north where the stolen items were found, according to a press release.
Rickie Clemons, 19, of Knox was arrested on site and has preliminary charges of burglary and theft.
Robert Manns, 40, of Knox had an active warrant for his arrest for his alleged involvement in this burglary. His information was featured on the Starke County’s Most Wanted list, and an anonymous tip led police to his location. On Thursday, March 12, deputies from the Stake County Sheriff’s Department, along with the K9 unit, arrived at a home in the 6200 south block of 250 W. in North Judson. Officers heard movement in the residence and after five minutes, a woman answered the door, according to police. They entered the residence with K9 Terror and located Manns hiding in a trap door and arrested him without incident.
Manns was booked into the Starke County Jail on charges of burglary and theft. Both suspects are being held in the Starke County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in Starke Circuit Court on Friday morning and was appointed a public defender.
The Starke County Most Wanted list is available by clicking here.
Teen Arrested on Burglary, Theft Charges
A Knox teen is being held in the Starke County Jail in connection with a Sunday morning burglary incident.
Officials in the Starke County Dispatch Center fielded a call from a victim in the 7000 South block of 250 West in North Judson. The victim told police that he was outside and saw two men coming out of his garage with arms full of his tools, according to a press release. Chainsaws, a portable welder, hand tools and other power tools were reportedly taken.
