Police Reports

Police Reports are simply a record that an arrest has been made and are not an indication of guilt or innocence.

From the North Judson Police Department:

Incidents:
10/16/11 Around 4:50 a.m., a vehicle being driven by Sara Scutchfield, of North Judson, struck a horse in the roadway on CR 250 West, just South of CR 700 South. North Judson Police were asked to respond and investigate the accident. North Judson Officer Frank Thomas reported that the driver was transported to IU Health Starke Hospital with injuries and estimated the damages at over $5,000. Thomas learned that Scutchfield’s vehicle was northbound on 250 West and struck a horse, belonging to Terri Holt, that was in the roadway. The vehicle then veered off to the west striking a fence belonging to Mike Blough.

10/12/11 North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely investigated a fender bender in the C.V.S. parking lot. While backing out of a parking space, a 1995 Ford 150’s front wheels made contact with the front bumper of a 1999 Ford Mustang parked next to it. Damages were estimated near $500. The driver of the truck had gotten out to check for damages and didn’t notice any and left the parking lot, however a witness had taken the license number and Vessely made contact with the driver, who returned to the scene to finalize the crash report.

10/10/11 A North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation School bus driver, during a regular route in the 300 Block of George Street, had just dropped off some children. As the bus pulled away, the front safety cross arm did not close and that arm struck a 2000 Ford Explorer that was parked on George Street. North Judson Chief Deputy Joe Budner investigated the incident. No injuries were reported and minor damages was sustained to the parked SUV.

Pulaski County Sheriff's Department

From the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department:

Incidents:
10/16/11 A fight was reported in Monterey.

10/16/11 A Winamac resident reported that some unknown subject(s) threw a telephone box in the driveway. Another one was reported later along with a smashed pumpkin.

10/16/11 A 15-year-old juvenile was injured in a motorcycle accident. He was sitting up, but was in a lot of pain. He was later flown to Riley Children’s Hospital for his injuries.

10/16/11 A seven year old child was bitten by a dog in the Monterey area. The dog owner was present when police arrived at the Emergency Room for the report.

10/16/11 A resident in the Pulaski area called and asked if a police officer could come out and look to see her neighbor’s painted property line markers.

10/16/11 A driver hit a deer in the Denham area and the vehicle is not drivable.

10/15/11 A UPS driver called to report that his truck is in a deep ditch, but no injuries were reported. A wrecker arrived on scene to clear the vehicle.

10/15/11 A Winamac resident called police wondering who stole his possessions as the suspect has been tried and convicted.

10/15/11 A Winamac postal carrier was bit by a dog while delivering mail. He tried to get the owner to come to the door but no one would answer. He needs to verify that the dog has its shots. Dog was on a chain, but he got too close. The owner was contacted later and verified that the dog is up to date on its shots.

10/15/11 A Winamac man called police to report that his wife hit him with a whiskey bottle.

10/14/11 A Winamac resident reported that some unknown person(s) hit her vehicle and left the scene. There was minimal damage to her car.

10/14/11 A Beardstown man called police to report that a female was flagging down people asking for money. He helped her out and found an item stolen from the back of his truck. A description of the woman and her vehicle was given to police.

10/13/11 A truck fire was reported in the Francesville area.

10/13/11 A caller called police to report her grandson’s iPod stolen while he was at a residence in Francesville. Jasper County has located the unit through its built-in GPS and are enroute to the residence to retrieve it. The caller said that Jasper County Sheriff’ Department told her that she needed to file a report in Pulaski County since it was stolen in Francesville. Rensselaer Police Department advised that the iPod was recovered.

10/13/11 Police received a call from a resident who said she was being threatened by another lady. The suspect was threatening to kill her dog. Extra patrol was requested.

10/12/11 A Winamac resident requested an officer. He said that some unknown person(s) broke into his truck.

10/12/11 A Francesville resident was hit by a car at the intersection of James and Brown Streets. The victim was airlifted to South Bend Memorial Hospital.

10/12/11 A caller advised that two vehicles collided and rolled over in her yard in the Bruce Lake area. No injuries were reported.

10/12/11 Caller told police that a truck in front of him lost a drive shaft and the caller ran over it destroying his vehicle. It reportedly wrecked his transmission and busted a hole in the floorboard.

10/12/11 The Winamac Fire Department was called to a field fire.

10/12/11 A Denham resident reported her outdoor shed stolen.

10/12/11 White County advised of a driver driving a vehicle recklessly. The vehicle stopped in Reynolds and the driver checked ok. Another caller said that the driver just wrecked and kept going. The driver took down a sign and the caller is behind the vehicle and it’s all over the roadway.

10/10/11 A Monterey resident said they had a theft in progress and two vehicles left the area. Officers were asked to keep an eye out for the suspect vehicles.

10/10/11 Caller reported an abandoned vehicle in a cornfield. Upon further investigation, police learned it was a stolen vehicle out of White County. A wrecker from White County took the vehicle back to the White County Sheriff’s Department.

10/10/11 A Star City resident called to report the theft of welding cables off a welder, an electrode holder and approximately 200 feet of copper wire cable.

10/10/11 A Winamac resident said he was driving down the road and a person driving a truck was riding his bumper and then drove around him and pointed a gun at him.

Arrests:
10/16/11 Shirley M. Gardner, 53, 6254 W. 100 S., Winamac, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Disorderly Conduct.

10/15/11 Ben K. Seman, 43, 132 E. Ray Rd., Winamac, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Domestic Battery.

10/13/11 Angela Miller, 31, 20050 12th Rd., Plymouth, IN, arrested on an active arrest warrant. Discharged 10/13/11

10/13/11 Chenz Swanson, 30, 224 Grandview Ave. LaPorte, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. Discharged 10/14/11

10/12/11 Mindy Gross, 32, 104 E. Rensselaer, Mount Ayr, IN, arrested on an active arrest warrant.

10/12/11 Keith Fritz, 27, 5222 S. 325 E. Star City, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana. Discharged 10/12/11

10/11/11 Mark Welda, 36, 109 E. Pearl, Winamac, IN, arrested on preliminary charges of Driving While Suspended and an active arrest warrant.

From the Knox City Police Department:

Incidents:
10/16/11 A domestic battery complaint was filed.

10/16/11 Debra Scott reported the theft of a temporary license plate.

10/14/11 Kristin Belcher reported the theft of her wallet.

10/11/11 Nicole Radtke reported the theft of a concrete bench from her daughter’s grave at the Crown Hill Cemetery

Arrests:
10/16/11 Brian Greene, 26, 7859 W. 700 N., Winamac, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Public Intoxication.
Paul A. Bottomley, 40, 12516 Tamarack Rd., Culver, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury.
Natasha Piper, 1240 W. 150 S., Knox, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Disorderly Conduct.
Christopher Bradley, 23, 1240 W. 150 S., Knox, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Public Intoxication.

10/13/11 Timothy E. Hampton, 404 E. New York St., Knox, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana over 30 Grams.
Amber Watts, 30, 10585 W. 100 N., Michigan City, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana over 30 Grams.
Joel H. DeValk, 46, 1207 Elston St., Michigan City, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Possession of Marijuana over 30 Grams.

10/11/11 Chase Mareska, 19, North Judson, IN, arrested on charges of Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property. He reportedly stole a vehicle in Knox and was picked up in the stolen vehicle in Rock Island, Illinois.

Starke County Jail

From the Starke County Sheriff’s Department:

Incidents:
10/16/11 A caller reported a stop sign down at State Road 8 and 1200 East. State Highway Department was notified.

10/16/11 Washington Township Fire Department was called to a fire in a field in the 2400 block of N. 1025 E.

10/16/11 A resident in the 5200 block of S. A Street in North Judson reported the theft of a license plate.

10/16/11 A caller in the 700 block of S. Portland St., in Knox reported the theft of her debit card. There is a possible suspect in the case.

10/16/11 Eve Howard called police to report that she was on 400 North and another vehicle came off a side road and hit them broadside. She said she wasn’t injured but she does need an officer for a report.

10/15/11 North Judson Fire Department was called to a car fire at Toto Road and 100 W.

10/15/11 A North Judson resident reported that some unknown person(s) may have stolen his American Pitbull puppy.

10/15/11 Washington Township Fire Department responded to a field fire in the 10600 block of E. 150 S. in Knox.

10/15/11 A resident in the 3700 block of N. 900 E. in Grovertown told police that she hit a stump on someone’s property and the action caused damage to her vehicle.

10/14/11 Knox-Center Township Fire Department was called to a barn fire in the 500 block of E. 250 S. in Knox.

10/14/11 A resident in the 700 block of E. Talmer Ave. in North Judson told police that a stove, copper tubing and knives were taken from the property.

10/14/11 A resident in the 4200 block of S. 800 W. in San Pierre called police to report that some unknown person(s) broke into his garage and stole items. The suspect(s) also attempted to gain entry into the home.

10/13/11 Mark Elder advised that a car was in the ditch on State Road 8, a half-mile after 800 East. No injuries were reported.

10/13/11 A Monterey resident called to file a theft report.

10/12/11 Robert Wilson reported the theft of his safe.

10/12/11 A Hamlet resident wished to speak to an officer in reference to a dispute with the manager of the Holloway Motel over $1.50.

10/11/11 A caller told police that a vehicle was in a ditch and people were trying to push it out at Toto Road and 650 W. by English Lake.

10/11/11 A resident in the 2700 block of S. 250 E. in Knox reported the theft of his Chevy Van. There is a suspect in the case.

Arrests:
10/16/11 Marcin Fundament, 28, of Knox, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

10/12/11 Troy Martin, 32, of Kingsbury, IN, arrested on a preliminary charge of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.

10/12/11 Shane Morrow, 35, of North Judson, IN, arrested on an active arrest warrant.

Accidents:
10/10/11 A single vehicle accident claimed the life of Andrew Shearin of Plymouth, formerly of Knox. According to the accident report, it was determined that Shearin was driving east on State Road 8, just east of County Road 800 East and for some unknown reason, the vehicle veered off the roadway and onto the shoulder of the road., both passenger side wheels were off the roadway and into an area along the road where there was no supporting shoulder. The vehicle continued east with the two passenger side tires off the roadway. It appeared that the driver had attempted to regain control of the vehicle but it was unable to get back onto the roadway. The front of the vehicle was then pulled further off the roadway causing the vehicle to slide sideways with the front of the vehicle facing south while still in motion to the east. The vehicle then turned over on the driver’s side and struck a utility pole. The pole was severed in half. The Starke County Coroner arrived on scene and pronounced the driver as deceased.