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Recent Area Thefts Focus On Heavy Equipment

Several large pieces of excavating machinery were stolen overnight Tuesday. "They're probably connected," said Todd Sautter, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, of the thefts."We don't know for sure, but it's ironic that they were stolen the same night." The equipment may have been stolen for resale purposes, he said. At 9:18 a.m.Wednesday, an employee of LDP Excavating, Warsaw, reported the theft of a mini-excavator from a job site overnight.The machine is valued at approximately $40,450. At 10:23 a.m.Wednesday, Anthony Martin, CR 15, New Paris, reported the theft of a bulldozer from a site.A contractor, Jay Yoder, also reported a $40,000 backhoe stolen from the same vicinity overnight.Tracks indicated the equipment may have been loaded onto a truck and trailer.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fisher Pleads Guilty To Burglary, Theft

Jason Fisher, 24, of Millersburg, pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon in Kosciusko Circuit Court to one count each of burglary and theft. Fisher previously was charged with murder in connection with the death of Kathy Vroman of Milford. Vroman's death was connected by police to a December 2000 burglary at Rice Ford in Warsaw, from which more than $100,000 worth of vehicles were taken. Three other men, including the dead woman's husband, have already been sentenced for their roles in the burglary. The murder charge against Fisher was dismissed after he testified against his father, Ralph Fisher, in a trial earlier this year. Ralph Fisher was acquitted of murder in that case.Jason Fisher was in custody on the murder charge for nearly a year while awaiting trial before he implicated his father as the trigger man.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Noble County Meth Lab Bust Nets 4 Arrests

Investigators looking for stolen furniture and guns got more than they bargained for Wednesday when they confiscated what is believed to be a methamphetamine laboratory in Noble County.Four people were arrested in connection with the investigation. The search began at a Syracuse home, where police served a search warrant to look for guns and antique furniture believed to be located there.The items were reportedly taken during a Noble County residential burglary. Some of the alleged stolen items were discovered in the Syracuse house and outbuildings at the property, where officers also reportedly found methamphetamine and items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Information obtained at that residence then led police to two other Syracuse homes, where additional items taken from the Noble County burglary were found, and to a Ligonier residence, where more guns were recovered and an alleged methamphetamine lab was seized.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Zoll Sentenced In Robbery Of Leesburg Bank

Jeffery Zoll of Warsaw was ordered Monday to serve four years in prison for conspiracy to commit robbery and 1-1/2 years in prison for auto theft. Zoll, 40, pleaded guilty to the offenses Sept.7 in Kosciusko Circuit Court.The actual sentences were eight years and three years, respectively, but half of each was suspended for probation.The terms were ordered served consecutive to each other, as well as consecutive to a 20-year sentence in Whitley Circuit Court. The robbery charge stems from a Jan.7 incident in which Zoll entered the Leesburg branch of Farmers State Bank and demanded money.He was not armed. Zoll also admitted taking a pickup belonging to his neighbor.That vehicle was seen at area robbery scenes, including the South Whitley First Federal Savings Bank of Wabash, for which Zoll was recently sentenced in Whitley County.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Teen Gets 16 Years In Syracuse Robbery

The last of three teens involved in the New Year's Eve robbbery of the Syracuse Pizza Hut received a 16-year prison sentence Tuesday. Ryan Kennelly, 17, of 9929 N.Marine Key Drive, Syracuse, received a sentence identical to the ones handed down to the other two teens, Robert LaFollette III, 19, of Pierceton, and Nicholas Ashkins, 17, of South Whitley, involved in the Dec.31 robbery. Kennelly was sentenced to 16 years in prison, two years probation and ordered to pay more than $4,000 in restitution for inducing or causing robbery and criminal confinement, both Class B felonies. Lafollette and Kennelley, clad in masks, went inside the Syracuse Pizza Hut on Ind.13 and forced nine employees into a walk-in freezer at gunpoint while Ashkins waited outside.Ashkins, a former Pizza Hut employee, then went inside and helped take the money.LaFollette admitted to showing a gun.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Rural Areas Attract Meth 'Cooks'

Third of four parts Methamphetamine producers target rural, sparsely populated areas for two main reasons: the telltale odor of the production process and the availability of ingredients. Most of the precursors for the production of methamphetamine are readily available at any number of stores.The most important, however, is ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (found in cold and allergy pills), without which meth cannot be made. The production process itself is not that difficult if all the ingredients are available, said "Jack," who has been arrested several times for manufacturing meth and is currently serving time.But because such volatile chemicals and substances are used, he said, making meth is extremely dangerous. Jack, a 39-year-old Warsaw man who made meth for his own use, said his meth recipe called for as many as 25 boxes of cold pills, depending on the number of pills in each box and the amount of ephedrine in each pill.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Student Faces 'Pot' Charges

A student at Warsaw Community High School faces charges after allegedly bringing marijuana into the school. Kylelaya Duff, 16, of 2501 Westside Drive, Warsaw, was preliminarily charged with possession of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, after the 1:25 p.m.incident.He was later released to a guardian. According to a Warsaw Police Department report, an administrator of the high school contacted authorities after Duff was found in a hallway after the bell rang.Duff reportedly had two plastic bags of marijuana in his wallet.He told police he was holding it for a friend, but refused to reveal that person's identity.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Winona Works On Parking Ordinance

WINONA LAKE - In an attempt to keep parking spaces open, the town council read an ordinance Tuesday to limit the parking of boats on trailers or empty boat trailers on town streets, roads and alleys to one hour for unloading and unloading boats. Council president Jerry Clevenger said the ordinance was recommended by the plan commission and forwarded to the council for approval.The item was not on the agenda and was met with comments for and against the restriction.Tuesday was the first reading of the ordinance.Since it carries a fee of $50 for any violation, a second public reading must be scheduled. "You're pointing at the island," said Jerry Nelson."I understand when people bring boats to use the lake.I'm not offended if someone parks their trailer in front of my house."He asked about restrictions for other vehicles - like campers and recreational vehicles. Councilman Rolly Ortega said other ordinances are being drafted regarding recreational vehicles.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Syracuse Raid Results In Crack Dealing Arrests

SYRACUSE - Police converged on a Syracuse business Wednesday afternoon, surprising the owner, employees and patrons in hopes of shutting down an alleged "crack house," police said. Robert E.Miles, 50, was taken into custody at his auto repair shop, Miles Auto Clinic, 106 S.Huntington St., on charges of dealing crack cocaine (less than 3 grams), a Class B felony. Also arrested there was Miles' girlfriend, 27-year-old Angela A.Wineland, of 11829 N.Acorn Drive, Syracuse.She is charged with two counts of dealing crack cocaine (less than 3 grams), both Class B felonies, and is also being held on a warrant from Elkhart County for theft. Bond for Miles and Wineland was set at $10,000 each. The arrests were part of a countywide drug raid that resulted in 10 of 16 suspects being jailed.Officials said this is the first in a series of drug raids planned for Kosciusko County.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

'Enough' Campaign Tip Leads To Meth Arrest

A tip from a concerned citizen led to the recovery of a substantial amount of drugs and the arrest of a Warsaw man. Jesus C.Hernandez, 33, of 920 Anchorage Road, lot 81, Shamrock Trailer Park, Warsaw, was arrested Sept.30 and booked into the Porter County Jail and charged with possession of a schedule II substance. The tip received by the Kosciusko County Special Operations Team indicated several men at the Shamrock Trailer Park were dealing in drugs.The Kosciusko County Drug Task Force, along with the Warsaw Police Department, conducted an investigation based on the tip and recovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia at Hernandez's residence. That led the drug investigators to Hernandez's workplace, where officers again recovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine and cocaine in conjunction with the Porter County Drug Unit.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Thieves Hit Farm Center On Ind. 15N

LEESBURG - Nearly $40,000 worth of John Deere farm equipment was stolen overnight Wednesday from Warsaw Farm Center. The theft was discovered about 9:30 a.m.Thursday at the Ind.15N, Leesburg, business and was reported by its manager. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, entry to the yard from which the items were taken was made by cutting a chain-link fence on the electric entry gate. Police believe that a larger trailer or truck would have been used to transport the stolen items: a 2001 6X4 Gator with a 72-inch front blade; a 2001 LT155 with 38-inch deck; a 2002 445 heavy duty tractor; a 2001 1460 with 60-inch side discharge mower; and a 2001 1420 with 28-horsepower gas front mower. Two other 6X4 Gators were moved as if the suspects also planned to remove them. The business' sister store at Plymouth had a similar theft last month, police said. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the KCSD at 267-5667.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Gun At School Brings Arrest

AKRON -ÊTwo students were removed from Tippecanoe Valley High School for allegedly having an unloaded gun at the school. According to a press release from the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation and information from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, students and staff informed administrators that a student had a handgun in his locker at the high school Thursday. Jeremy Wayne Strayer, 17, of Akron, was arrested and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 4:31 p.m.Thursday for dangerous possession of a gun and theft/receiving stolen property.His bond was set at $5,000. Charges are pending against another 16-year-old student who reportedly was involved in the incident.The student's name has not been released. After receiving information about the gun, school administrators and school resource officer Josh Spangle located Stayer and searched his locker.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Teens Held In Thefts Of Four Motorcycles

Four stolen motorcycles were recovered Monday morning and two juveniles were taken into custody for the thefts. Randy Weaver, 17, Sunday Lane, Winona Lake, and Brett A.Robbins, 15, EMS C 24 Lane, Warsaw, were taken into custody Monday morning by the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's department received a call from a man who reportedly saw two men in a field along CR 200N with two new motorcycles.The description of the motorcycles fit those of two stolen from Lake City Honda on Sept.2. While sheriff's officers investigated the field, two males were found riding a four-wheeler on CR 325E.The two juveniles were identified as Weaver and Robbins.A police check on the four-wheeler showed it was stolen.Both juveniles were taken into custody.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Disaster-Trained Doctor Helps People Of Mississippi

Marilyn Whitney, M.D.is entering a second week of disaster aid to the people of Mississippi. Whitney, a family practice physician and partner at Kosciusko Family Healthcare, said the damage along the Gulf of Mexico is still overwhelming. "The devastation along the coast is unbelievable," she said in a cell phone interview."Buildings are completely flattened.There are piles of debris and rubble everywhere.For example, all that's left of a small speciality hospital on I-90 is the sign.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Stolen Laptop Recovered In South Bend Salon

SOUTH BEND -ÊOne of two laptop computers stolen from Wal-Mart in Warsaw a month ago was recovered in South Bend Monday afternoon. On Sept.6, an employee of the Warsaw Wal-Mart store reported the theft of two laptop computers from their electronics department. Last week, information was received that one of the computers was being used at a business/residence in South Bend. Monday afternoon, the Warsaw Police Department and the South Bend special tactics team served a search warrant at 1321 Linden Ave., South Bend, and recovered the stolen computer. The laptop was found at A.J.'s All About U Salon. Two people have been interviewed in connection with the incident, but no arrests have been made. The second stolen laptop has not been recovered.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Guardsmen Return From Deployment To Mississippi

Company A returned home late Saturday after more than a month in Mississippi, serving on a humanitarian relief mission to the Gulf Coast. Members of 1st Battalion, 293rd Infantry were called to duty early in September, leaving Indiana Sept.2 for their first stop in Meridian, Miss. Monday, the citizen soldiers attached to the Warsaw Armory, CR 350N, returned gear issued for Task Force Hoosier. Following briefings at Camp Shelby, Guardsmen spread out over the Lauderdale, Newton, Scott, Jasper and Smith county region of south central Mississippi, areas hit hard when Hurricane Katrina made landfall Aug.29. Leaving a platoon in Taylorville, Miss., the rest of the company went to Bay Springs, where they began patrols and guarded six generator sites.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Community Planners Meet With KLA Cadets

Continuing their education on local governmental procedures, the 25th class of the Kosciusko Leadership Academy met Tuesday at Zimmer's headquarters to hear presentations from several city and county planners. Dan Richard, Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission director, began his discussion by focusing on the history of development in the county.According to Richard, one of the first towns to originate in the county was Oswego, because of its accessibility to stone and running water, two essentials for grain production.Communities then moved to areas with railroad systems, creating communities such as North Webster and Warsaw. Eventually, a broader form of agriculture began to dominate the region, a situation Richard says is still "one of the strongest characteristics of our neighboring communities." Over the decades, Richard said Kosciusko has always ranked high in both the state and nation in terms of agricultural production.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Rape Suspect In Custody In Texas

A Pierceton man is in custody in Edinburg, Texas, after a routine warrant check during a traffic stop Tuesday revealed several outstanding warrants in Kosciusko County. Maximo P.Ybarra, 22, is being held without bail in the Hidalgo County Jail after officers discovered he is wanted on warrants for three counts of rape (class B felonies), one count of child molestation (class A felony) and one count of theft (class D felony) in Kosciusko County. "He is being held in Hidalgo County and we are waiting for him to sign extradition papers this week," said Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Capt.Jim Springer."If he does not sign them, a governor's warrant will be issued." If he signs the papers, Ybarra will be transported back to Warsaw and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail as early as next week.Ybarra would be held in the jail until his arraignment or until he posts bond, which is expected to be at least $22,000.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Stolen Goods Recovered By Warsaw Detectives

Warsaw Police have recovered an estimated $20,000 worth of stolen stereo equipment taken from The Butterfly in July. Yesterday, in response to a tip, the police located the equipment in an empty apartment on the south side of Warsaw. Detective Perry Hunter said the recovery comes as the result of a tip from an employee of The Butterfly.The employee, whose name was unavailable, was approached in off hours to look over an amplifier in need of repairs. The employee brought the amplifier to work and checked the serial numbers against those of the stolen equipment. The police tracked the amplifier to the initial seller, a juvenile. The juvenile, who is suspected to have stolen the equipment, is cooperating with police in the recovery of other missing equipment. The robberies took place July 17 and July 21.Nearly all of the stereos and sub-woofers from a storage room were taken.
GREG BROWN, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police Seek Info On Man Who Fled

The man is described as a white male in his early 20s, 6 feet 1 inch to 6 feet 3 inches tall with a thin build.He has short brown hair and a stubbly beard.At the time of the incident, the man was wearing a green/olive drab army field jacket, a light green or tan army hat and black combat boots. Authorities are concerned about the man's well-being and are asking anyone with information regarding his identity to contact the Warsaw Police Department at 372-9511.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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