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Two Held After Thefts Of Ammonia From Farm Center

Two people are in custody this morning after allegedly stealing anhydrous ammonia from a farm center near Mentone. Police said the men had six or seven of the ingredients needed to manufacture methamphetamine in the vehicle they were traveling in and that they believe the men were going to use the ammonia to set up a mobile lab. Bradley Michael Troyer, 28, of 501 S.Locke St., Nappanee, is preliminarily charged with theft, possession of two or more ingredients with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and criminal trespass.He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $2,000 bond. Clint M.Mishler, 26, of 103-1/2 Maple St., Nappanee, faces charges of theft and possession of two or more ingredients with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.His bond also is $2,000. Troyer and Mishler were taken into custody near Royster-Clark, at the intersection of CR 100S and Ind.19.Police said the location has continuously been victim to anhydrous ammonia thefts.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Brothers Arrested In Connection With Pride Station Armed Robbery

Two brothers believed to be responsible for last week's armed robbery of Pride Gas Station, Syracuse, and multiple home burglaries were arrested around noon Wednesday. Russell W.Stidams Jr., 22, of 9832 Rock-A-Bye Road, Cromwell, and Christopher Wayne Stidams, 24, White Pigeon, Mich., were arrested in a gravel pit, south of Backwater Road, North Webster. The pair were found sleeping at the gravel pit, one inside a vehicle and one underneath a tree.They were "arrested without incident," Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department detective Travis Marsh said. "One second they were sleeping, the next they were in cuffs," Marsh said. The sheriff's department and Indiana State Police arrested the men after receiving anonymous tips and recovering stolen property specific to the crimes the men allegedly committed. One item, a bearded lizard stolen from a Warsaw residential burglary, was recovered.Items are believed to have been traded for money or drugs.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton PD Offers Security Survey

PIERCETON - Security surveys are being offered by the town's police officers, town marshal Tim Sammons told council members Monday. Continuing a campaign to introduce citizens and police officers to each other, Sammons said the program is offered at no charge. Each confidential survey will be taken by an officer.Recommendations, like trimming back shrubs, adding outside lighting or ensuring that all windows lock, will be offered to prevent theft and vandalism. Chip Hill, public works supervisor, said leaf pickup begins Monday.The schedule is: Mondays: south of Catholic Street and west of First Street; Wednesdays: south of Catholic Street and east of First Street; and Thursdays: north of Catholic Street. Hill said work in the street department office's kitchen continues with installation of new cabinets.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Islam, Terrorism And The Mideast - Part four of four: Islam and the land of Palestine

Editor's Note: Dr.Davis has had extensive contact with the Arab world and Islam through his participation in 10 archaeological expeditions to the Middle East.He is the author of 17 books and is professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake.He also writes the weekly column, "Outdoor Scene," for the Times-Union. To whom does the land of Palestine belong? Should it be called Israel rather than Palestine? Why has this relatively barren, rocky and desolate land been the object of such passionate debate - and war? These and hundreds of similar questions swirl above the landscapes of this tiny strip of land that borders the east side of the Mediterranean Sea. To understand the furor of the current conflict, several things need to be remembered.First, passions over territory run much deeper in the Middle East than elsewhere because the very identity of a people is inseparably related to their ancestral homeland.
Dr. John Davis- | July 28, 2016

Two Arrested After Break-In On Winona

Two Warsaw men were arrested this morning for allegedly breaking into a business on Winona Avenue. Shortly after 3 a.m.today, Justin Andrew Chalmers, 19, of 319 S.Indiana St., Warsaw, and Brock Anthony Obrien, 20, of 701 W.Winona Avenue, Warsaw, both were arrested on charges of burglary to a business, theft from a business and theft/receiving stolen property.Both are being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on bonds of $5,000. The men allegedly broke into and stole items from Paradise Pawn Shop on Winona Avenue. According to a report from the Warsaw Police Department, an officer saw two men on bicycles dressed in dark clothing early this morning.When the officer asked the men what they were doing, they reportedly said they were going to pick up a woman.Later when asked what the tools were for, the men said they had been fixing a car. The men had screwdriver, a pry bar, a flashlight, knives and bolt cutters in their possession when the officer stopped them.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Couple Faces Charges Of Corruption In Business

Multiple charges are pending against a Warsaw couple in connection with alleged business corruption, money laundering and tax evasion. Richard D.Orban, 47, and Janet L.Orban, 47, of 165 E.Deerwood Court, Warsaw, are charged with corrupt business influence, a Class C felony; money laundering, a Class C felony; perjury, a Class D felony; three counts of theft, all Class D felonies; two counts of failure to remit sales tax, both Class D felonies; filing of false income tax return, a Class D felony; and keeping two sets of books, a Class D felony.Richard Orban also is charged with fraud, a Class D felony. Authorities said that the Orbans are on vacation and, through their attorney, arrangements have been made for them to turn themselves in on Monday at the Kosciusko County Jail.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Burglary Arrests Lead To Solving Other Crimes

Two men arrested for burglary last week reportedly were involved in at least 17 other burglaries in the area. Justin Andrew Chalmers, 19, of 319 S.Indiana St., Warsaw, and Brock Anthony O'Brien, 20, of 701 W.Winona Avenue, Warsaw, were arrested Nov.6 for burglary to a business, theft from a business and theft/receiving stolen property for allegedly breaking into Paradise Pawn Shop in Winona Lake. The pair originally were arrested when Warsaw Police Department Corp.Scott Quillen saw them on bicycles dressed in dark clothing in the early morning hours of Nov.6.After questioning, the men allegedly admitted to breaking into Paradise Pawn Shop. During subsequent interviews, one of the men allegedly admitted the two have been involved in at least 17 additional Warsaw burglaries in the past two months.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fleeing The Scene

The driver of this truck was injured Monday morning when the truck left the roadway and rolled onto its side. The accident occurred on CR 800W, south of CR 100S. The truck was loaded with chickens, a few of which - including the one in the foreground - attempted to flee the scene. The chickens were rounded up by officers and passersby. The identity of the driver, who suffered only minor injuries, was not available at press time. Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union
Photo by Gary Nieter, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

School Officials, PTO Discuss Safety Issues

U.S.News & World Report.Newsweek.Time.USA Today. "I don't think you can pick up a magazine or newspaper that doesn't have something in it about high school safety," said Warsaw Community High School Principal Paul Crousore Monday at the WCHS PTO meeting. Crousore was part of a panel discussion on safe and secure schools.He was joined by Warsaw Police Chief and Warsaw schools safety director Steve Foster, WCHS School Resource Officer Dave Morales, and WCHS administrator Troy Akers, teacher Tom Starkweather and junior Adam Beck. Foster began the panel discussion by telling the 25 PTO members attending that he has been working with Warsaw schools for more than a year.He deals with the security of facilities and helps with resources and training.He goes over the crisis plans for each school; what may be applicable for the high school may not be for an elementary.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

2 Held After Friday Robbery

Two men are in custody and a third suspect is being sought in connection with a robbery Friday night that left a Claypool man injured. Anthony Keith Paseka, 18, of 510 E.Center St.#1, Warsaw, is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $20,000 bond.He is charged with aiding, inducing or causing robbery with injury, forgery and theft. Joshua Brant Hawthorne, 22, of 904 Wooster Road, Winona Lake, is charged with aiding, inducing or causing robbery with injury and theft.He also is being held in the KCJ on $20,000 bond. Another man allegedly involved in the 8:15 p.m.incident is still being sought by police. The victim in the incident, James Wadkins, 33, of Claypool, suffered a broken bone in his face and police noted that Wadkins' left eye was swollen shut and there was swelling in his left cheek.Wadkins was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, and later released.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Meth Tips Lead To Arrest Of Claypool Man

CLAYPOOL - Tips to the Marshall County and Kosciusko County drug task forces about the possible production of methamphetamine led to the arrest of a Claypool man Wednesday afternoon. Steve Alan Sroufe, 43, of 6403 W.CR 800S, Claypool, was arrested at 2:38 p.m.Wednesday and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on charges of operating an illegal drug lab and possession of precursors.He is being held on $150,000 bond. Wednesday afternoon, officers went to the residence at 6403 W.CR 800S, Claypool, to investigate a tip that methamphetamine was being manufactured there.When the officers arrived at the residence, Sroufe allegedly ran from the scene, but he later was arrested and a meth lab was discovered on the property. In 2003, Sroufe was arrested by the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force for the theft of anhydrous ammonia, which is used to make methamphetamine.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Thieves Hit Rice Ford

More than $100,000 in losses were reported in a Saturday evening burglary to a Warsaw car dealership. A cleaning crew discovered the break-in about 8:30 p.m.Saturday when they arrived at Rice Ford, West CR 250N, Warsaw.The glass was found broken out of a north door and the workers called police before going inside.When police arrived, a search of the building revealed no one else was on the premises. An owner of the dealership was summoned to the business, where it was discovered the new car key box was broken into and destroyed.An inventory of the vehicles on the lot determined three were missing: a 2001 white Ford Lincoln LS, valued at $40,380; a 2001 white F350 4X4 crew cab dually, valued at $36,985; and a 2001 green Eddie Bauer Expedition 4X4, valued at $41,411. Twenty sets of keys from other new vehicles also were taken and KEMRAD security service was brought in to watch the parking lot and prevent the theft of additional vehicles.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Gun Sale Leads To Arrest

A 23-year-old North Webster man was arrested Thursday for allegedly selling a stolen gun to an undercover officer. Shaun Steven Brooks, 23, of North Webster, allegedly sold a stolen .223 rifle to an undercover officer.Out on bond in both Kosciusko and Noble counties on drug charges, Brooks was booked into the Noble County Jail on charges of felon in possession of a gun and the illegal sale of a firearm by a felon. He also faces burglary and theft charges in connection with the stolen gun, as well as potential federal charges.He is being held without bond. The rifle was stolen in a burglary in the North Webster area. Brooks allegedly offered to trade the undercover officer the rifle along with 160 rounds of its ammunition for methamphetamine. The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force was assisted by Noble County's IMAGE Drug Task Force, the Noble County Sheriff's Department, Noble County Prosecutor's Office and Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Aldrich Granted Modification Of His Jail Sentence

The defendant who received the stiffest sentence in connection with the December 2000 Rice Ford burglary was recently granted a modification of the term. George Aldrich, 29, of Etna Green, was sentenced in September 2001 to eight years in prison for his role in the crime. Co-defendants in the case, including the so-called ringleader, Jason Fisher, 24, of Goshen, received lesser prison terms. Fisher was sentenced Oct.10 to four years in prison for burglary and auto theft.Another co-defendant, Lawrence Grant, 30, of Shipshewana, was sentenced to 5-1/2 years in prison, and William Vroman, 34, formerly of Milford, has been released from custody.He was ordered to serve two years of a four-year term and, in Indiana, inmates are given one day off their sentence for each day served on good behavior. All of the defendants were ordered to make restitution to Rice Ford of more than $100,000.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Auto Break-Ins Reported In City

The Warsaw Police Department is investigating eight thefts that occurred Monday in the parking lots of Royalite and Daylite, Detroit Street, Warsaw. Windows were broken out of at least eight vehicles to gain access.A CB radio, a pistol, three stereos, a tent, an air conditioner and cassettes were among the items reported stolen. Collective damage and loss from the broken windows and thefts was estimated at $1,600. The police are examining videotapes of the parking lots in an effort to find the thief.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

New Student Organization Prompts Review Of Policies

A relatively new student organization at Warsaw Community High School is being blamed by some students for the denial of privileges to other student clubs. After the Gay-Straight Alliance became a recognized organization early this year, administrators decided to look into what the school could legally provide for student clubs. After studying the issue, it was determined that the Ski Club, for example, can no longer use a school bus for free and is no longer covered under the school's insurance liability policy. "We all feel badly that this has happened to the students, but we had to approach it from a legal standpoint," said Dr.Jennifer Brumfield, WCHS principal. GSA, the Ski Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Octagon Club are not school-sanctioned organizations, Brumfield said, and therefore do not have the same privileges as school-sanctioned organizations.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Council Adopts HSA Insurance Policy

PIERCETON - The health care savings account system outlined by Principal Financial insurance agent John Clay in October will be offered to town employees, according to town council members. The council met Thursday to discuss the policy and adopted it as a way for employees to save money for deductible medical expenses and to save for future medical costs. Last month Clay said these savings accounts are limited to $2,500 per year and, if the funds are not spent, they remain in the account for future use. Clay advised the board then that a 13 percent increase in employee health insurance is expected.The town provides a high deductible plan with the first $300 in medical costs paid by the employee and up to $900 for a family policy.None of the town council members are on the policy. The council is offering to pay 30 percent of the costs for dependent insurance coverage. The board also: • Set Dec.2 as the town employee Christmas party date.
TERESA SMITH Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Suspects' Arrests Bring Leads In Other Crimes

OSWEGO - The Kosciusko County Sheriff Department's arrest of two men for stealing from an Oswego laundromat Wednesday has led to leads in several recent crimes. Booked into Kosciusko County Jail Wednesday morning were Christopher Delbert East, 19, of 409 EMS T26 Lane, Leesburg, and Bradley Donald Smith, 19, same address.Both were charged with theft from a coin machine and held without bond. KCSD deputies responded to a call from an employee of Oswego Laundry reporting two men stealing from a coin-operated soap dispenser at 7 a.m.Wednesday.Upon arrival the deputies apprehended Smith and East. In searching the suspects' car police found a Motorola radio with a Warsaw Holiday Inn employee's name on the back.The radio led police to connect Smith and East with $7,000 in damage that occurred at the Holiday Inn on Sunday. The suspects allegedly damaged the facilty and stole the two-way radio and a portable stereo.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police Solve Several Thefts

Four arrests in the past two days have cleared several burglary cases from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department files, including one in which a backhoe and other large items were taken. William Nathan Golden, 26, of 61 EMS W22 Lane, North Webster, and David Walter Hawthorne, 24, of 8264 N.Syracuse-Webster Road, Syracuse, were arrested Tuesday evening.Each was charged with theft and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail.Golden was also served with a warrant in a civil matter; his bond was set at $1,700 and he also is being held for authorities in Goshen.Hawthorne is being held without bond. On Wednesday afternoon, police also arrested Joshua Joktan Golden, 18, of 61 EMS W22 Lane, North Webster, charged with theft from a shed or outbuilding, and Matthew Taulbee Walters, 18, of 2 EMS W22 Lane, charged with burglary to a permanent residence.Both are being held without bond in the county jail.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Officials Believe Stolen Skull May Be From Mausoleum In Syracuse Cemetery

SYRACUSE - Officials investigated a mausoleum in Syracuse Cemetery Thursday morning from which they believe Edward Lee Meadows allegedly stole a skull. Meadows, 24, of 201 E.Greenhaus Drive #28, Syracuse, was taken into custody Nov.12 after Syracuse police served a search warrant at his home and recovered the skull.The investigation into the matter was ongoing for about a year, police said. Meadows was charged with theft, intimidation and criminal deviant conduct/abuse of a corpse.He remains in Kosciusko County Jail.Bond is set at $2,000. Thursday, officials from the Syracuse Police Department and the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office used a video camera line to inspect the mausoleum without entering.Officials were trying to determine if the skull could have come from that mausoleum.The camera was operated through a small window in the back where it is believed entry may have been made by the suspect.
- | July 28, 2016
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