Novitzke Pleads Not Guilty; $1 Million Bond Remains

Starke County Courthouse
Starke County Courthouse

A Starke County man who was taken into custody following a pursuit incident spanning two counties received his initial hearing in the Starke Circuit Court yesterday. Julius Novitzke, who is currently held in the Starke County Jail on a $1 million bond, pleaded not guilty to charges of Resisting Law Enforcement, Receiving Stolen Property and Reckless Driving and requested a public defender due to his inability to pay for his own counsel.

Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall appointed attorney Timothy Lemon to Novitzke’s case due to the fact that Lemon is representing Novitzke in another case in the court. Novitzke will have to pay a $100 public defender fee to the clerk.

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Starke County Man Arrested after Pursuit

 
 

A Starke County man was arrested after a pursuit incident that spanned two counties.

Early this morning, a Starke County detective was patrolling around 1100 East and 700 North just north of Koontz Lake when he recognized the driver of a black pickup as Julius Novitzke. Novitzke was known to be wanted on an active Starke County Circuit Court Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine.

A traffic stop was attempted but Novitzke failed to stop.

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Two Grovertown Residents Arrested after Police Conduct Search Warrant

Heather VanDusen
Julius Novitzke

Two Grovertown residents were arrested Wednesday after a search warrant was executed at their residence.

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police conducted a drug investigation at 10195 E. Francis Street in Grovertown. Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall approved a search warrant for the property and officers from Starke County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police and the Plymouth K9 unit executed the search warrant early Wednesday morning. Officers located several items commonly used the manufacture of methamphetamine, discarded methamphetamine labs, the finished product and other controlled substances.

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