Charges Likely In Road Rage Incident In Warsaw

Charges are expected against the driver of a sport utility vehicle who allegedly struck a motorist as the culmination of an incident of road rage. Brian C.Hodorek of Winona Lake told Warsaw police that he was struck in the face by the unidentified driver when both vehicles were stopped in the left turn lanes at U.S.30 and Center Street in Warsaw. Hodorek told police that the 5 p.m.incident started when the vehicles passed each other on U.S.30 near Quality Farm & Fleet and ended when they both stopped for a red light. The driver of the SUV reportedly got out of his vehicle, yelled at Hodorek while shaking a finger in his face, then struck him before returning to his vehicle and leaving the scene. A license plate number was obtained from the vehicle and police said the SUV is registered to a Columbia City business.The business will be contacted so the identity of the driver can be determined.Police plan to charge the man with battery.

Confirmation Pending on Names of Fatal Accident Victims

Authorities will not release the names of two individuals who died in a fatal car accident Saturday until after confirming their identities by dental records.

Teens Nabbed In Attempted Auto Theft

Two Warsaw teens are in custody following an attempted auto theft Sunday night in which the car owner refused to give up her car. Warsaw police report that Barbara Jean Bacon McKinley, West Street, Winona Lake, left her car running at 2501 Glad Street.She heard someone trying to take her car and confronted them.When the car stalled while backing out of the driveway, McKinley jumped onto the hood. The teens allegedly drove north on Husky Trail while McKinley rode on the car's hood clinging to the windshield wipers.They stopped the car at Harrison Elementary School, Glad Street, Warsaw. The teens fled to the Glad Street Group Home, where they were arrested by police. Nicole Dawn Walsson, 16, Fremont, was charged with criminal recklessness and auto theft, while Jamie Carolyn Eihler, 14, Andrews, was charged with auto theft. McKinley was uninjured except for a scrape on her nose.

Police Warn Of Construction Site Thefts

Due to a number of thefts in northern counties, the Warsaw Police Department is urging local construction businesses to be extra cautious. "Businesses should take precautions to ensure equipment won't be tampered with," said Warsaw Det.Steve Adang. A rash of construction site thefts in St.Joseph, LaPorte and Elkhart counties has prompted the Warsaw Police Department to encourage local businesses to take extra steps to secure heavy equipment. According to Adang, many pieces of heavy equipment such as backhoes, attachments, earth movers and other machinery have been stolen from construction sites.In some cases, the equipment has been stolen along with its transport trailers and other equipment. "We want (local business) to be aware that quite a bit of heavy duty equipment and attachments have been stolen," said Adang. No local thefts related to the incidents in other counties have been reported in Kosciusko County.

Theft Charge Filed In Case Of Lost Wallet

A Walmart employee is facing theft charges after police say he took $4,440 out of a customer’s wallet.

Extra Patrols Lead To Busts In Syracuse

SYRACUSE - An attempt to cut down thefts from vehicles netted Syracuse Police the arrest of two men on auto theft charges.

Illinois Man Faces Theft Charges

Ohio Man Held In Theft From Lowe’s; Part Of Multi-State Operation, Cops Say

An Ohio man was arrested Thursday after police allege he was involved in multiple thefts in multiple states.

3 Held In Thefts From Boats

SYRACUSE - Charges are pending against three teen-agers who allegedly stole items from several boats on Lake Wawasee. The suspects, two of whom are from Fort Wayne and one from Connersville, reportedly took CD players, speakers, binoculars, a life vest, a cooler and a tube from boats docked on the north and east sides of Lake Wawasee.The thefts occurred during early to mid-June. Many of the items were recovered and additional stolen goods are expected to be collected.More than $5,000 worth of items are known stolen. Anyone who was a victim of such a theft can view the stolen items at Griffith's Wawasee Marina, 9171 E.Ross Drive, Syracuse.The process then will begin for the victims to claim their property. Information received by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Lake Patrol led to the suspects involved. To provide or receive more information about these thefts, call the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department at 267-5667.

Woman Faces Charges In Theft From Fire Dept.

A woman accused of stealing $10,000 from Warsaw volunteer firefighters was arrested Wednesday afternoon. Abbey Jo Hagan, 34, of 1027 Shady Lane, Warsaw, was booked into Kosciusko County Jail on felony charges of check forgery and theft. According to police, Hagan had access to a checkbook for the fire department because her husband worked as the department treasurer.Hagen allegedly forged a series of checks between March 1 and April 29.The money was deposited in her and her husband's personal checking account, police said. Detective Joe Stanley, Warsaw Police Department, said the theft was discovered when Lake City Bank noticed the large fund transfer from the fire department account and froze it.The volunteer fire chief was called to review bank statements and he noticed the unauthorized checks made out to Steve Hagan. Stanley said the Hagans were questioned and Abbey Hagan admitted to the thefts.

Public Occurrences 2.6.08

The following people were preliminarily charged and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Mentone Police Ask Residents To Keep Cars Locked

MENTONE - Residents are being warned to remove valuables from their vehicles and to keep their garages locked. Mentone Town Marshal Jim Eads said his department has investigated several minor thefts during the past three weeks in which purses and other items are taken from unlocked vehicles and/or garages. Anyone with information as to the suspect in these thefts is asked to contact the Mentone Police Department.

Police Investigate Rash Of Burglaries In Northern Part Of County

Kosciusko County authorities are investigating several burglaries and thefts reported Monday, mostly in the northern part of the county.A vehicle stolen from St.Joseph County was located in the crime area. More than a dozen burglaries are believed to have taken place in and around the Fox Run and Woodland Hills subdivisions, near Syracuse.There also were reports of thefts from a Leesburg business and a rural Warsaw residence. Among the Syracuse-area thefts are two air compressors valued at $425 from a construction trailer at a work site near the intersection of CR 300E and LaPoint Drive.A Millwood Construction employee told police a padlock was cut for the suspect(s) to gain entry to the trailer. Two Sunset Drive, Syracuse, residents reported thefts - one from vehicles parked in a driveway and one from inside the home where occupants were sleeping.

Juvenile Faces Burglary, Theft Charges

An overnight break-in led to charges of burglary and theft being brought against a local 16-year-old.

Power Drill Theft Leads to Meth Bust

SYRACUSE – A Syracuse man was arrested Wednesday on theft and drug charges after officers discovered methamphetamine paraphernalia and a synthetic drug inside his home.

State Police Recover Stolen Goods

BREMEN -ÊThe process to identify more than 200 stolen items valued at more than $100,000 started Friday. Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Detective Travis Marsh is working with troopers from the Bremen post of the Indiana State Police to identify the items, which have been recovered since April 15. Marsh is the lead investigator in an "epidemic of construction site thefts" that started in January of 2004. Four people have been arrested in connection with the thefts, but as many as six more individuals may face charges, including multiple counts of theft, in the crimes.The investigation may lead to charges involving the manufacturing of methamphetamine as well. On April 15, Indiana State Police Trooper Jason Faulstich was sent to a location on Apple Road near Ind.25 in Marshall County where property owners reported an abandoned U-Haul truck behind a barn.

1 Of 3 Alleged Meijer Shoplifters Arrested

A Michigan man was arrested Wednesday for corrupt business influence, a level 5 felony, and theft, a level 6 felony.

Public Occurrences 7.1.09

County Jail Bookings The following people were preliminarily charged and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Kosciusko Lakes and Streams Renamed Center for Lakes & Streams

WINONA LAKE – To keep up with program growth, Kosciusko Lakes and Streams has been renamed the Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College.

Ivy Tech To Host 11th Annual Coffee & Conversation

SOUTH BEND - The South Bend Tribune has partnered with Ivy Tech Community College-North Central to present this year's community coffee and conversation scheduled for Aug. 18 at 7:45 a.m.