Rural Rochester – Tuesday, at approximately 7:06 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and Fulton County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call reporting a possible murder at 6832 West Olson Road, rural Rochester, IN.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the owners of a residence at 6832 West Olson Road arrived home from work, and found a rear door to the house open. Upon entering the house, they found the body of Wilma Upsall, 81. An autopsy, conducted on Wednesday, revealed that Upsall died of a gunshot wound. There were signs of forced entry into the home but investigators have yet to determine if any articles are missing from the residence.
Upsall lived at the home with her daughter and son-in-law.
Last night, at approximately 6:34 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet El Camino on 20 A Road near the town of Monterey, IN. The El Camino had purportedly driven across the center line and was exceeding the posted 55 miles per hour speed limit. Officers also wanted to speak with the occupants of the Chevrolet about Upsall’s alleged murder. When troopers activated the emergency lighting and sirens on their police cars, the El Camino accelerated and led officers on an approximately ten minute pursuit. The chase ended when the Chevrolet crashed on State Road 117 north of State Road 110. The driver, Jason Miller, 34, Plymouth, IN, and his two passengers, William Scroggs, 25, Delong, IN, and Roy Bell, 24, Rochester, IN, all fled on foot.
After an overnight manhunt, by multiple police agencies, Scroggs and Miller were eventually located and incarcerated in the Fulton County Jail. They each face a single count of murder and two class A felony charges for burglary and robbery. They are being held without bond. Scroggs and Miller were found in different locations and at different times.
At this time Bell has not been located. Investigators believe he is possibly armed and should be considered dangerous. An order of probable cause has been issued by the Fulton Circuit Court for Bell to be arrested on murder, robbery, and burglary charges.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this case, or Bell’s whereabouts, is encouraged to call the Indiana State Police Peru Post at 1-800-382-0689 (inside Indiana) or 765-473-6666. Information can also be provided to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department by calling 574-223-2819. Information can also be provided anonymously to Fulton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-616-7867.
