Early Saturday morning a Granger man was arrested for having nearly three and a half pounds of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road.

This morning, around 1:15 a.m., Trooper Luis Alvarez stopped a black 2011 Camry for a moving violation on the Indiana Toll Road near the 94-mile marker westbound. This is just east of the Elkhart Exit.

While Alvarez was speaking to the driver, Matthew Luger, 23 of Granger, IN, Alvarez discovered a small glass jar containing suspected marijuana.

A subsequent search of the Camry revealed nearly three and a half pounds of suspected marijuana in several clear plastic bags as well as paraphernalia.

Luger was arrested and taken to the Elkhart County Jail for preliminary charges of Dealing Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident where an unresponsive 1-year-old was pulled from Lake of the Woods in Marshall County.

The child was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.

Last night (Saturday) at approximately 8:09 p.m., responders were dispatched to the 4100 blocks of Lake Shore Drive near the town of Bremen. Initial reports were that a young child was pulled from the lake and was unresponsive.

Results of an initial investigation were that family members were ending a birthday party when they noticed a back door to the home open and the 1-year-old missing.

After a brief search, family members located the child floating in 18 inches of water. The child was missing for 5-10 minutes.

July 18th through the 20th, the ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. along with other district troopers participated in patrols in conjunction with the 2019 “ABATE Boogie” in Lawrence County.

These special patrols took place during the afternoon and evening hours of July 18th, 19^th and 20th as well as the day time hours of July 21. 

The patrols generated 31 traffic tickets, 124 traffic warnings, 2 OWI arrests, 50 criminal arrests, 22 felony criminal arrests and 21 criminal defendants.

Arrests that were made during the patrol included;

• Possession of Marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Felony Warrant Service
• OWI
• Resisting Law Enforcement (Vehicle & on Foot)
• Criminal Recklessness (Vehicle)
• Reckless Driving
• False Informing/Reporting
• Perjury
• Possession of Controlled Substance (Pills)

Troopers Caleb Garvin, Kaitlyn Greene and her K9 Partner “Drogos”, Zach Parker, Chance Humphrey, Chris Griggs, Sam Wagner, Matt Hatchett, Nick Bartalone, Cory Knight, Daniel Crozier, Jarrod Lentz and Sergeant Greg Day all participated in the special patrols.

July 21

Washington County Sheriff’s Department

Brett Earl-Allen Lawson, 30, Salem

• Possession of a Controlled Substance
• Theft – at least $750 but less than $50,000
• Theft
• Invasion of Privacy
• Burglary
• Residential Entry
• Theft

July 22

City of Salem Police

Logan Quincy Mark Jones, 21, Salem

• Warrant (Fraud Warrant)

Washington County Sheriff’s Department

Candace R Burden, 40, Morgantown

• Failure to Appear on Felony Charge

This morning at about 2:00 a.m. on SR 63 just north of US 136 (that is about four miles west of Covington) a speeding car was stopped and approximately four pounds of alleged marijuana was found in the inside of the car.

Trooper Kevin Jeffries was stationary monitoring traffic when he got a reading of 86 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Trooper Jeffries pulled out and stopped a gray 2019 Hyundai Elantra being driven by Angelo D. Johnson, 21 of Danville, IL  While talking to Angelo through the car window, Trooper Jeffries could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. 

Upon searching of the vehicle, approximately four pounds of suspected marijuana was found in the trunk of the vehicle.  Angelo was taken into custody and charged with;

• Possession of over 30 grams of Marijuana with Prior Conviction
• Dealing Marijuana with Prior Conviction

Angelo was booked into the Warren County Jail. 

Assisting Trooper Jeffries was Trooper Mason Willey and Maskel Towing.  The investigation is continuing.

On July 19, 2019, detectives were made aware that Scotty Hensley, age 35, Scottsburg, was released from Department of Corrections and had failed to register his current address as a sex offender with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. Hensley was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail. Hensley was charged with FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER and OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT.

On July 19, 2019, Reserve Deputy Phil Thomas initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle identified as Ronnie Cox, age 55, Scottsburg. Further investigation revealed Cox had a suspended driver’s licenses and out of county warrant. Cox was arrested for FAILURE TO APPEAR.

On July 19, 2019, Joshua Broughton, age 39, Scottsburg was arrested for an out of county warrant. Broughton was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail.

On July 19, 2019, Deputy John Smith observed suspicious activity and initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Ashley Green, age 29, Scottsburg. Further investigation revealed Green had a suspended driver’s licenses. Additionally, Green admitted to having drugs and paraphernalia in her purse within close proximity to her minor child. Deputy Smith observed paraphernalia and four (4) plastic baggies containing a crystal-like substance, which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Green was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail. The minor child was released to a caregiver. Green was charged with DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED (SUSP/PRIOR), POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, and MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE.

On July 20, 2019, Deputy Josh Watterson and Deputy James Shelton responded to a call on Water Tower Road. Deputies were advised parties had left the area. A few moments later, Deputy Watterson observed a male, identified as Dale Fox, age 54, Scottsburg, running down Church Street after a female identified as Christy Kamman, age 39, Austin. Deputy Watterson observed both parties be verbally arguing and made attempts to separate the two individuals. Fox would not follow Deputy Watterson’s commands and continued to reach his hand into his pockets. Further investigation revealed Fox was in possession of a controlled substance located inside his pocket. Deputy Watterson and Deputy Shelton discovered a purse in the ditch line in the vicinity of Kamman. She advised the purse was her and consented to allow deputies to look in it. Deputies located a controlled substance that Kamman admitted to not having a prescription for it. Kamman was taken into custody as well and both were transported to the Scott County Jail. While being booked into the Scott County Jail, Kamman denied having any additional paraphernalia and/or drugs on her person. Jail staff discovered a syringe inside her body cavity.

Fox was charged with POSSESSION SCHEDULE I, II, III, OR IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE   and RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Kamman was charged with POSSESSION SCHEDULE I, II, III, OR IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE, and FALSE INFORMING

On July 21, 2019, Deputy Joe Baker initiated a traffic stop and made contact with driver, identified as Chelsee Boccia, age 20, Elizabeth, and occupant(s), Caleb Parrish, age 19, Scottsburg, Bethanie Holder, age 19, Little York, and Kenneth Mills, age 22, Austin. Boccia admitted to having paraphernalia inside the vehicle. All occupants were requested to exit the vehicle in which they did so. Holder admitted to having a controlled substance on her person and removed from her clothing without the Deputy Baker requesting. Parrish and Mills denied any drugs and/or paraphernalia on or about their person. A search of the vehicle revealed additional paraphernalia. Inside Boccia’s purse, Deputy Baker discovered a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine and a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana. The odor of marijuana was present as well. Deputy Baker field-tested the crystal-like substance and was positive for methamphetamine. Hol der admitting to having additional drugs on her person and pulled out a baggie containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine as well.

Boccia was taken into custody and charged with MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE, POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA.

Holder was taken into custody and charged with POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, POSSESSION SCHEDULE I, II, III, OR IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, and VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE.

Parrish was taken into custody and charged with VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE.

Mills was taken into custody and charged with VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE.

The Indiana State Police along with Troopers from Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania will be conducting state-wide patrols targeting violations of the “Move Over” laws in each of those states beginning Sunday, July 21, 2019.

The project, which was initially started by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, encompasses the five states that border the State of Ohio.

Troopers in all participating states will be conducting high visibility enforcement and education of the “Move Over” law.

Indiana state statute 9-21-8-35(b) requires vehicles to “move over or slow down.”

Indiana statute 9-21-8-35(b) and (c) states:

(b) Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle, when the authorized emergency vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed at least ten (10) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class A infraction.

(c) Upon approaching a stationary recovery vehicle, a stationary utility service vehicle (as defined in IC 8-1-8.3-5), a stationary solid waste hauler, a stationary road, street, or highway maintenance vehicle, or a stationary survey or construction vehicle, when the vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing amber lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall:

(1) proceeding with due caution, yield the right-of-way by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the recovery vehicle, utility service vehicle, solid waste hauler, or road, street, or highway maintenance vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, if on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not less than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) proceeding with due caution, reduce the speed of the vehicle to a speed at least ten (10) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

A person who violates this subsection commits a Class B infraction.

On July 24, 2019, Deputies initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Andrew Johnson, age 41, of Austin. Johnson was arrested for OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED REFUSAL and DOMESTIC BATTERY.

On July 24, 2019, Deputy Josh Watterson initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Simon Burns, age 32, of Scottsburg and four juvenile occupants.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Watterson noticed the odor of marijuana.

Burns admitting to having in his possession marijuana and paraphernalia in the vehicle.

Deputy Watterson looked inside the vehicle where he discovered a green leafy like substance and paraphernalia.

Deputy Johnny Coomer assisted in the traffic stop and discovered juvenile occupants had paraphernalia on their persons. Burns was arrested and charged with POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, and CONTRIBUTING TO THE DELINQUENCY OF A MINOR.

Juveniles involved were released to parents and the report was transferred to juvenile probation.

On July 24, 2019, Deputies received an anonymous tip that Willam Neace had an active warrant for his arrest and given the location of his whereabouts.

Deputy Joe Baker and Deputy Darin Marshall initiated a traffic stop and drivers were identified as William Neace, age 33, of Austin.

Neace was arrested on an active warrant for FAILURE TO COMPLY and transported to the Scott County Jail.

On July 24, 2019, Captain Joe Guarneri arrested Paul Cox on an active warrant for WRIT OF ATTACHMENT.

Lawrence Co arrest

July 27

Indiana State Police

Jeffrey Lee Carwile, 59, Palmyra

• Operating a Vehicle With an Alcohol Equivalent to at least .15 Gram of Alcohol

Salem City Police

Justin Levi Helms, 39, Bloomington

• Out of County Charges Only 

A Terre Haute man is behind bars after police found to have initiated misconduct with a minor.

Arrested and Charged was Dionel Juan Mateo, 28, Terre Haute

• Child Molestation – child under 14 sexual intercourse/other sexual conduct (3 counts), Level 1 Felony
• Possession of Child Pornography, Level 6 Felony

The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested a 28-year-old man from Terre Haute on July 26, 2019.

The investigation began early this week when a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was received by the ICAC Task Force.

As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was obtained by Vigo County Division 6 Court and served late last night at 1903 Grant Street. 

Based on preliminary findings as a result of the search warrant, Dionel J. Mateo, age 28, of Terre Haute, was interviewed and subsequently taken into custody and transported to the Vigo County Jail with no bond allowed. 

Investigating Officers:  Indiana State Police Detective Master Trooper Kevin Getz who was assisted by Senior Trooper John Jacobs.

Assisting Agencies:  Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Valdez, Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana Department of Child Services, and Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center in Terre Haute.

Anyone having any information related to crimes against children are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or visit the NCMEC website at http://www.missingkids.com/hom  and find the link to make a CYBERTIPLINE report.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

An Indiana State Trooper saved a 31-year-old Merrillville woman’s life after finding her passed out and unresponsive in a vehicle on the side of the road.

In trying to revive her, he found drugs on her person. 

Yesterday, Saturday, July 27^th, 2019, at approximately 4:05 p.m., Trooper Regen Smith was dispatched to a possible property damage crash on I-80/94 westbound near Indianapolis Boulevard. 

Trooper Smith saw a silver Volkswagen (VW) Beetle on the left shoulder up against the concrete median barrier wall.  As Smith approached the VW on the passenger side she could see that the sole occupant a female appeared to be unconscious in the driver’s seat. 

Trooper Smith knocked repeatedly in an attempt to rouse the female but was unsuccessful.  Due to all the VW doors being locked Smith had to break the passenger window to gain entry.  Once inside the VW Trooper Smith was unable to rouse the driver and noticed the female wasn’t breathing. 

Smith used life-saving measures at this time.  Shortly thereafter, Hammond Fire and EMS arrived and they too proceeded with life saving measures. 

The driver, later identified as Kelley Cooper, 31 of Merrillville, regained consciousness. 

Cooper was taken to Munster Community Hospital in Munster.  Trooper Smith as she attempted to find identification on the driver located two small bags in Cooper’s wallet containing suspected heroin and paraphernalia. 

Cooper was found to be wearing a home detention monitor due to her probation status.

Cooper was taken to Lake County Jail in Crown Point after being released from the hospital and was charged with:

• Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment-Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle with a Controlled Substance in Blood-Class C Misdemeanor
• Possession of Paraphernalia-Class C Misdemeanor\
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug-Level 6 Felony

Assisting: Trooper Alissa Partyka, Hammond Fire and EMS and Bennie’s Towing

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

An Evansville man was arrested after fleeing police with five children in the vehicle.

Arrested was Andrew Glenn Caldwell, 25, Evansville, IN. He was charged with:

1. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class 6 Felony
2. Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

On Tuesday, July 23, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Trooper Tyler Widner was patrolling in the area of Governor and Columbia when he observed the driver of a maroon Mercury van make an unsafe lane movement.

When Widner attempted to stop the vehicle the driver accelerated to 50 mph in a 30 mph zone.

The driver disregarded a stop sign at Governor and Virginia and disregarded the stop light at US 41 and Virginia before traveling south on US 41. The driver disregarded the stoplight at Lincoln before turning west onto Washington Avenue.

Due to the high volume of traffic the pursuit was terminated.

Further investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police and Evansville Police determined the driver of the vehicle was Caldwell.

Investigating officers were also able to determine that Caldwell was transporting five children in the vehicle when he was fleeing from police.

Officers did not know children were in the vehicle during the chase.

The children’s ages ranged from two to twelve years old. After reviewing the investigation, the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office issued a felony arrest warrant for Caldwell.

Officers located and arrested Caldwell yesterday without incident.

This is an on-going investigation and additional criminal charges are pending.

Investigating Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

The body of a 35-year-old Michigan man has been recovered after an incident in the Lake Michigan swim area of Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton. 

At approximately 5:50 p.m. this evening, an Indiana Dunes State Park lifeguard observed a man that appeared to be struggling in the water near the outer edge of the designated swim area.

As a lifeguard made their way to the man, he slipped underwater and did not resurface.

An Indiana Conservation Officer patrolling the park immediately responded along with multiple other agencies. Line-searches were immediately started with rescue divers entering the water a short time later.

The Portage Fire Department, United States Coast Guard, and Indiana Conservation Officers Responded by boat. A United States Coast Guard helicopter also conducted a search from the air.

At approximately 8:00 p.m. a Chesterton Fire Department diver located the man’s body in 10 feet of water. The cause of the incident and death are unknown at this time.

Indiana Conservation Officers will be working with the Porter County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause of death. The identification of the victim is being withheld at this time, pending family notification. 

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by Porter Fire Department, Chesterton Fire Department, Beverly Shores Fire Department, Burns Harbor Fire Department, Hobart Fire Department, Porter Hospital EMS, United States Coast Guard, U.S. National Park Rangers, Porter Police Department, Chesterton Police Department, Indiana Dunes State Park Lifeguards, Porter County Coroner’s Office, and Indiana Conservation Officers Chaplains.