A Starke County Sheriff’s Department K9 officer and deputies apprehended four juveniles in suspected Bass Lake thefts and two adults remain at large.
James Ritenour III Arrested after an Alleged Battery Incident
James Ritenour III is being held in the Starke County Jail under $100,000 bond in a case that involves his mother. Jayne Ritenour told police that her son battered her and threatened her life last Sunday evening. The incident happened, according to the mother, in her home at 5620 S. 700 E. in Knox.
The mother and son were involved in an altercation that stemmed from a malfunctioning microwave oven. Jayne Ritenour said when she returned home from church she noticed the microwave was in her words “messed up”. When she questioned her son he reportedly put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her.
Accident Victim Dies of Injuries
A Knox man who was injured in an early morning accident on Monday, December 5th has died. 43-year-old Thomas Guy passed away on Friday, December 16th in Memorial Hospital in South Bend.
Starke County Police responded to a single vehicle accident on December 5th at 4570 South and 100 East. Guy reportedly was traveling on County Road 100 East when he came over a hill and lost control of his vehicle, leaving the roadway and striking a tree. Guy was ejected from the vehicle and was taken to the hospital as a result of injuries sustained the accident. He died of those injuries on Friday.
Trial Begins for Fred Boggess II in Starke Circuit Court
A jury of nine men and three women were seated yesterday in the trial of Fred Boggess II in Starke Circuit Court. The trial then began where the State called four witnesses. The fourth witness was an Indiana State Police Lab Team officer and he will resume with testimony this morning when the court convenes at 9:00 a.m.
Rodger Griffin Charged after Alleged Intimidation Incident
Rodger Griffin was arrested on Thursday after a brief foot pursuit with police.
Griffin, 48, allegedly battered his girlfriend and when her son tried to diffuse the situation, Griffin reportedly threatened his life and pulled a machete and waved it at him making alleged threats. The police were called and Griffin left the residence. When officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Deparment and the Knox City Police Department arrived, they were advised that Griffin had run into the woods on State Road 8. Officers did locate Griffin and chased him through thick woods. He was eventually taken into custody and booked into the Starke County jail.
Two Knox Residents Arrested on Burglary, Theft
Several thousands of dollars worth of railroad metals were retrieved from the Starke County Recycling Company this morning after Knox City Police and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Police officers executed a search warrant at that location. This is part of an ongoing investigation of a theft report that was filed Saturday night and led to the arrest of Patrick Sobieck and Richard Selva.
North Judson Man Arrested on Battery Charges
Starke County and North Judson police officers arrested a North Judson man early this morning after he allegedly hit and threatened his girlfriend.
According to the police report, the victim called police to report that her boyfriend, Jesus Pedroza, Jr. had battered her and threatened to kill her with a gun. Officers responded to 2683 W. and 500 S. and asked to enter the residence to find the suspect. Police found Pedroza, Jr. running away from the residence. When officers announced the K9 would be released, Pedroza, Jr.surrendered himself to police.
The victim told police that Pedroza, Jr. had punched her when returning home in the car from “The Pub”. He allegedly slammed her head against the passenger side window. Pedroza, Jr. was arrested and taken to the Starke County Jail on preliminary charges of Strangulation, Domestic Battery, Intimidation, and Resisting Law Enforcement.
Police Recover Stolen Vehicle; Driver Arrested
A Knox man was arrested this week after police found him driving a stolen vehicle.
According to the police report, on March 24th, Rolland McVey, of Knox, reported his truck stolen. He was sitting at his kitchen table when two male subjects came walking into his kitchen from his back room. He asked them how they got in and they said their daughter had been bitten by a dog. McVey said he doesn’t own a dog and he got up from the table and started walking toward them. They turned around and took off running out the back door. He later he looked out and saw his truck missing. His keys were missing from the key hook that hangs next to the back door. The vehicle is a 1997 teal-colored Ford pick-up truck.
Starke County Police Arrest Monon Man on Burglary Charges after Traffic Stop
A White County man was arrested Thursday night after police found alleged stolen property in his car.
According to a police report, officers were dispatched to intercept a vehicle that was being driven by a male subject that was reported to be harassing a Knox woman into selling a vehicle. The officer intercepted the vehicle at U.S. 35 and Toto Road and found the vehicle to have false and fictitious plates. A traffic stop was conducted where the driver, John Grigsby, was found to have a suspended license.
Starke County Police Respond to Two Vehicle Accident
A two vehicle accident occurred this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Starke County police responded to the accident at 250 South and US 35 and minor injuries were reported. The intersection was blocked during the time of the investigation and is open now. Again, only minor injuries were sustained by the parties involved.
John Loftus Jr. Trial Begins Today in Starke Circuit Court
A jury trial will begin in Starke Circuit Court today. John Loftus Jr. was arrested on August 19th by the Starke County Police and the Prosecutor’s office has filed five charges against him for which he has plead not guilty. He is charged with Attempted Robbery, a Class C Felony; Domestic Battery with a Child Present, a Class D Felony; Resisting Law Enforcement, a Class A Misdemeanor; Battery, a Class A Misdemeanor; and Battery, a Class B Misdemeanor.
Third Person Arrested in Burglary Investigation
A third person has been arrested in an investigation into several burglary incidents that occurred in Koontz Lake in March. An arrest warrant had been issued for Haven Ewing, 20, of Koontz Lake and Starke County police located and arrested him on Monday, November 22nd. Ewing has been charged with seven counts of Burglary, with each count classified as a Class B Felony.
