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Drug Task Force Executes Warrant

After several months of investigations, the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force secured warrants for 24 people, and with the help of several local law enforcement agencies, arrested 12 suspects for selling, using and manufacturing illegal drugs Wednesday afternoon. Officers from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Warsaw Police Department, Pierceton Police Department, Syracuse Police Department, North Webster Police Department and the Kosciusko County S.W.A.T.team served warrants issued by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's Office for offenses ranging from possession of paraphernalia (a Class C misdemeanor) to dealing methamphetamine (a Class B felony). Donna Anderson, 50, of 419 Village St., Pierceton, was arrested for allegedly dealing cocaine, a Class B felony.Her bond was set at $10,000.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Humorist Hopes To Motivate Middle, High School Students

Even after 20 years of talking to kids, Michael Pritchard can still be surprised. "A remarkable thing happened today" at Lakeview Middle School, he said Wednesday night. Talking to the Lakeview students Wednesday, Pritchard had dedicated the talk to Jennifer Emelio, a 14-year-old with cystic fibrosis who died Sunday.Her funeral was Wednesday, and several Lakeview students had attended. "I asked for a moment of silence, and the silence got so deep it was mystical.Mystical.It was reverential.They got it," he said, shaking his head in amazement."They are powerful messengers." Pritchard, 48, has been in Warsaw since Monday, talking to students, teachers and parents about such subjects as choices, interpersonal relationships and identity.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Former Resident Murder Suspect In Alabama

A former Whitley County man is in jail today in Alabama charged with homicide and robbery. According to police in Leeds, Ala., Robert Clayton Vandermark, 22, formerly of Larwill, was arrested Wednesday afternoon at the Greyhound Bus Station in Birmingham. He was charged with the early-morning murder of a woman at an apartment where he was staying.Police said they were unsure of the relationship between Vandermark and the woman, who police said is in her 20s but whose identity was not released. Vandermark also allegedly robbed the combination service station-convenience store where he worked at approximately 6 a.m.Wednesday.Police said he had more than $500 in cash when he was arrested at the bus station. A preliminary hearing has been set for Friday for formal charges against Vandermark.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Dot Street Residents Detain Alleged Thief

When a Dot Street resident looked out his window Thursday night and saw a man walking along the street, he watched him for a couple of minutes. When the suspicious man allegedly started trying the doors of cars parked along the road, the resident continued to watch. When the suspect allegedly opened an unlocked car door and removed items from the car, the man called his neighbor to tell him something had just been stolen from his car.That neighbor called another neighbor and, soon a group of people was pursuing the alleged thief. At 8:36 p.m., Warsaw police were notified when yet another neighbor called to report a possible large fight near the intersection of Dot and Hepler streets, where the suspect was confronted by the residents. When police arrived, there was a lot of yelling and screaming, so everyone was ordered to the ground at gunpoint.All but one man reportedly complied with Ptl.Joe Stanley, who then forcibly took the man into custody.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Tippy Valley Takes Care Of Business

• Policy changes address access to school records BURKET - One new policy and three updates to policies were given their first reading Monday at the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.school board meeting. The new policy addresses records and access to public disclosure. Under the policy, the superintendent is the records access officer and must assume responsibility for public records release decisions. All requests for access to public records must be made in person during regular business hours.Requests must identify the record for which disclosure is sought on forms provided by the corporation.Records may be inspected only at the office or location where they are regularly maintained.Copies may be obtained at the cost established by the superintendent.
Stories by David Slone, Times-Union- | July 28, 2016

Pickup Stolen, Burned

SYRACUSE - A Milford man reported a fire this morning and a Syracuse man turned out to be the victim of a theft and arson. Ben E.Waldbeser of North CR 250E, Milford, saw a pickup on fire on CR 1150N, west of CR 250E, and called for emergency personnel at 2:45 a.m.today. The 1999 Dodge extended cab truck and contents belonging to Jack Wendell Apple, EMS D15 Lane, Syracuse, were destroyed.Apple told police he left the truck, packed with his belongings for a trip to Florida, parked in the driveway Thursday night.The keys were in the vehicle. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, the suspect(s) apparently stole the vehicle and then burned it to cover any evidence of the crime.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Last Of 5 Sentence In Thefts From Amish

About $35 a year is how much Judge Robert Burner estimates Jonathan Pickerl "earned" from the crimes he committed. Pickerl, 18, of South Bend, was sentenced Friday afternoon in Kosciusko Superior Court for his involvement in an "Amish bashing" case.He was the last of five defendants in the case and one of two who entered guilty pleas without an agreement as to the sentencing. He was ordered to serve four years of a six-year sentence, with the remaining two years suspended for probation.Burner pointed out to Pickerl after sentencing that while he opted to victimize the Amish after quitting a job at which he felt he wasn't making enough money, he wasn't as smart as he thought.Pickerl came away from the February attack on an Amish man with $140, or $35 per year to be spent in prison.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Armed Robber Hits Mini Mart In Mentone

MENTONE - An armed robbery took place at Sands Mini Mart at 11:30 p.m.Wednesday. A male subject entered the store, brandished a gun and demanded money. The suspect took the money and fled the scene on foot.He remains at large. The total taken in the theft was unavailable this morning. The Mentone Police Department was assisted by Kosciusko, Marshall and Fulton County sheriffs' departments and the Indiana State Police. The robbery remains under investigation.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Warsaw Woman Arrested In Internet Fraud Case

Complaints from more than 50 Ebay users across the country led to the arrest of a Warsaw woman on a warrant for theft. Nikki Brindle, of White Wolf Designs, 2603 E.Pine Drive, was arrested Monday for fraudulently selling high-priced electronics over the Internet, Kosciusko County Detective Todd Sautter said.She is being held on $5,000 bond. Reportedly, Brindle placed items for sale on Ebay, and after receiving payment, failed to send the item or issue a refund. Purchasers allegedly were told their items would come in seven to10 weeks, then when they never came, were told Brindle's supplier was back-ordered. Frustrated after waiting for items since early spring, some purchasers requested refunds and never got those, either.That's when the National White Collar Crime Center and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department became involved. The sheriff's department confiscated Brindle's computer and financial records and is investigating the complaints.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Victim's Mom Relates Emotional Toll Of Abuse

Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of articles on domestic violence and abuse. As soon as she was old enough to communicate, "Heather" said she didn't want to go to her father's house. Her mother, "Susan," was aware of her feelings, but visitation is visitation, and Susan figured her outdoorsy daughter missed her animals, toys and her siblings. Susan knew there were things going on at Heather's fathers house that weren't going on at home.Things like adults who smoked, drank, fought and yelled at each other.Susan never married Heather's father, "Joe."Visitation began when Heather was 5 months old.Joe married a woman with a daughter and the couple had children together. Heather didn't see her father for a year when he lost his driver's license because of "another DUI," Susan said. Heather asked a friend if her father came into the bathroom with her.Her friend said yes, her daddy did come into the bathroom.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Mentone Man Gets 88-Year Sentence

COLUMBIA CITY -ÊA Mentone man who pleaded guilty to attempted murder in Whitley Circuit Court in March will spend 88 years in prison. On March 22, William T.Springer, 26, of Mentone, admitted to severely beating his cell mate, Justin Baden, and trying to kill him in the Whitley County Jail Jan.6. Tuesday, Whitley Circuit Judge James R.Heuer handed down an 88-year prison sentence -Ê50 years for the attempted murder and 36 years for a set of charges including burglary, attempted burglary, theft and criminal mischief related to a Nov.2 incident.Springer violated his probation in another burglary case, and the judge also ordered him to serve the final two years of that sentence. On Jan.6, Springer kicked, punched and choked Baden before attempting to stab him with a pen and twist his neck until it broke. During the attack, Springer stopped to drink a beverage and told his cell mate he would continue the assault when the drink was finished.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Albertson's Break-In Solved

Two teens have confessed to breaking into Albertson's Sport Shop early Tuesday and police are waiting to talk to a third suspect. Detective Sgt.Tom Brindle of the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department said the teen stopped by Warsaw police for driving without his headlights turned on near the gun shop was one of the three suspects in the burglary. The 17-year-old from Fort Wayne was questioned by police regarding why he was there at the time and the teen said he and his friends were looking for a dark place to park and drink.The teen was issued a citation for curfew violation and sent home. At the time of the traffic stop, about 3:30 a.m.Tuesday, it was apparently the second trip to Warsaw from Fort Wayne by two of the suspects.The three are believed to have committed the burglary about 1:15 a.m.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Biomet Goods Found In Indy Warehouse

Indianapolis police Friday seized between $2.5 and $3 million in stolen orthopedic equipment. Most of the equipment, which included artificial hips, knees, tools and other related hardware, was diverted from a Biomet distributor in Florida to the warehouse near 86th Street and Zionsville Road, in northwestern Indianapolis. A Biomet official originally alerted the Marion County prosecutor about their suspicions.Less than one week later, detectives uncovered the warehouse.Biomet officials were present when a search warrant was served to seize the items, which were in their packaging. The two men who rented the warehouse where the supplies were found own International Medical Commerce, but the prosecutor isn't sure whether they knew the merchandise was stolen.An Internet advertisement for International Medical calls it a reseller of bulk surgical orthopedic instruments and implants.Its Indianapolis phone number was disconnected.
M.J. RHODES, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Ridinger Lake Man Faces 'Meth' Charges

PIERCETON - An alleged working methamphetamine lab was discovered near Ridinger Lake at 2:30 a.m.today. The alleged drug lab was discovered after the Whitley County Drug Task Force found Steven G.Rourke, of 314 EMS R4 Lane, Pierceton, reportedly attempting to steal anhydrous ammonia from a local co-op near Larwill. Rourke was arrested for attempted theft and booked into the Whitley County Jail around 1 a.m.He gave officers permission to search his residence.There, they found drug paraphenelia and items used to manufacture methamphetamine. Rourke is being held at the jail on $20,000 bond.He faces charges of attempted theft, a D felony; resisting law enforcement, an A misdemeanor; and aiding in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, a B felony.He also faces pending charges from the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Fort Wayne Man Injured After Falling From Bike

A Fort Wayne man is in fair condition this morning after possibly being struck by a car while riding a bicycle Saturday near the entrance to Pic-A-Spot Campground near Warsaw.The driver of the car left the scene. James L.Davis Jr., 51, of Fort Wayne, suffered head injuries when he fell from his bicycle about 5:19 p.m.Saturday on McKenna Road at EMS B32 Lane.He was taken to Kosciusko Community Hospital, Warsaw, before being airlifted to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, in critical condition.Davis has since been upgraded to fair condition. According to Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, there are conflicting reports from witnesses, with one person saying the vehicle struck Davis' bicycle and another saying there was no contact with the bicycle.The driver reportedly left the scene with the tires of his vehicle squealing.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Webster Council Deals With Thefts, Teen Curfews

NORTH WEBSTER - Town marshal Greg Church asked that residents keep their vehicles locked and not used for storage of valuables because of numerous thefts.Four such incidents occurred in May, according to the marshal's report. He also asked the council Wednesday to consider placing fines on the curfew ordinance. "Now we do a report and send it to juvenile probation," he said, adding that the town's curfew is 10 p.m.Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday for 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds. The board agreed to look into the addition of fines. The council also reviewed a proposed residential and commercial development presented by Jim McCleary. McCleary said the former Tinkey farm, on the southwest corner of Ind.13 and Armstrong Road, will have 60 19,000-square-foot lots with three commercial sites.The property is owned and being developed by Rick and Camille Rookstool.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Town Marshal Hobbs Honored By Legion, Sheriff's Department

Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs was honored by American Legion Post 49, Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and the U.S.Marine Corps Thursday in the old courtroom at the Kosciusko County courthouse. Hobbs faced two suspected bank robbers, Criss Duncan, 43, of Shipshewana, and Ralph Berkey Jr., 34, Elkhart, who were armed with M-16 rifles on May 27. The men entered the Leesburg branch of the National City Bank at about 10:30 a.m.that day, making off with about $44,000. The men were apprehended June 1 and remain in federal custody. The day of the theft, Hobbs approached a red pickup to ask the driver if he had seen the reported getaway vehicle, a red van.The alleged robbers had switched from the van to the pickup. Hobbs saw the camouflage-wearing passenger squatting on the floor of the pickup.His rifle pointed at Hobbs. The lawman and the suspects exchanged fire, with Hobbs shooting out the driver's side and front windows of the truck.
TERESA SMITH. Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Man Arrested For Armed Robberies

A Warsaw man was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection with armed robberies in Warsaw Saturday and North Webster Monday. Randall Gayle Stahl, 40, of 1822 Rider St., Warsaw, was arrested for armed robbery around 11:51 a.m.Tuesday at a residence at 3699 N.CR 175E, Lot 169, Warsaw, in Suburban Acres.Stahl was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Kosciusko County Jail at 3 p.m.Tuesday with a bond set at $10,000. Police currently are seeking another suspect, who is described as an adult white male, in connection with the robberies. Stahl is accused of using a gun to rob two men at area car washes. Saturday, Stahl allegedly robbed Jacob Paul Revere, 18, of Warsaw, while Revere was at a coin changing machine at the Super Wash on Center Street Saturday around 5:19 p.m. Stahl allegedly pointed a gun at Revere, took his wallet and cellular telephone and forced Revere into the trunk his vehicle.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Zoll Pleads Guilty To Armed Robbery

COLUMBIA CITY - Jeffrey R.Zoll of Warsaw pleaded guilty Tuesday in Whitley Circuit Court to one count of armed robbery with a deadly weapon, a Class B felony, and one count of resisting law enforcement, a Class D felony. Zoll, 49, also was charged with theft, a Class D felony, after robbing the South Whitley branch of First Federal Savings Bank of Wabash on April 18. During the court hearing, Zoll admitted having a gun during the robbery and handing employees a sack in which to put the money. After robbing the bank, Zoll fled South Whitley on Ind.14 before being involved in a three-county high-speed chase that ended on Covington Road in Allen County.Zoll's vehicle was blocked in a driveway by several police cars, two of which Zoll reportedly rammed. Sentencing in this case is set for June 26 before Whitley Circuit Court Judge James Heuer.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Bust Nets 6

Five adults and one juvenile were arrested Thursday as the result of an investigation into illegal drugs in Kosciusko County. Police also confiscated a stolen handgun; more than $6,000 in cash; a quarter pound of marijuana; a quarter pound of a substance believed to be methamphetamine; suspected forgeries of Social Security cards, alien identification cards and drivers' licenses; two cars; and other possible stolen items believed to be related to area burglaries. Fernando Ramirez, 26, of 10 Henderson Drive, Warsaw, is being held with no bond in Kosciusko County Jail and is charged with dealing marijuana and felony theft. Refugio Rico, 18, also of 10 Henderson Drive, was charged with maintaining a common nuisance and felony theft and is being held with no bond.
Laurie Hahn, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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