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Bambi's Roofing Employee Sentenced In Embezzling

A former Bambi's Roofing Inc.employee was sentenced Monday in Kosciusko Superior Court 1 for embezzling more than $200,000 from her former employer. Christy Grogg, 42, of 3731 E.Ford Drive, Rochester, was sentenced to four years in prison for forgery, a Class C felony. A second charge, theft, a Class C felony, was dismissed through a plea agreement. Grogg, who worked in accounting for Bambi's, was suspected of embezzling in March 2003.At that time, company owner Ken Collins was notified of overdrawn bank accounts.Upon checking the business' check register, Collins learned of several unauthorized checks written to Grogg. Grogg reportedly forged the checks and deleted the records from the company computer. When confronted with the crime, Grogg admitted to it and said she had been doing it since June 2001, with the last check being cashed Feb.26, 2003. Grogg told police she had gambled all the money away at Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City and had none left.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Wrongly Accused Orbans Win Suit Against Warsaw

INDIANAPOLIS - "It's been a long seven years," said Warsaw resident Richard Orban."We feel vindicated.We are extremely relieved." That was Orban's reaction shortly after receiving word that he and his wife Janet won a case against the city of Warsaw, former Warsaw Police Officer R.Paul Schmitt and Indiana Department of Revenue investigator Rick M.Albrecht in Marion Superior Court II June 29.The Marion County jury heard eight days of testimony in the case and returned with their verdict after about four hours of deliberation.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Diving Boards Stolen

Warsaw police and park officials are miffed by the loss of two diving boards from community parks over the last five days. Saturday, park workers discovered a 14-foot fiberglass board was missing from Center Lake pier.Tuesday, the Warsaw Police Department received a call reporting that another diving board had been stolen from Pike Lake Park. Dive teams were assigned to search underneath both piers to determine whether the boards had been removed and dropped into the water, but both searches came up empty. According to police reports, WPD patrolmen were in Center Lake Park until 11 p.m.on the night that the first board was stolen.Over the last month, police activity increased inside the park to limit suspicious activity in the area. Park Department Administrator Jon Garber said he could not determine if the thefts were in retaliation to the additional police units supervising the park.
Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer- | July 28, 2016

Fisher's Attorney Seeks Details Of State's Evidence

If the defense attorney wants to physically view some of the evidence expected to be exhibited during the Jason Fisher murder trial in September before his deadline for filing discovery, he may have to take a helicopter ride. Michael Miner, court-appointed attorney for Fisher, 22, of Millersburg, told Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed during a hearing Wednesday that he has a problem with how some of the information was received from the prosecution. Fisher is accused of killing 48-year-old Kathy Vroman, of Milford, by shooting her Jan.15 at his business, Country Car Co.in Milford.Her body was later recovered in Michigan. Charges are pending against several people, including Fisher's father, Ralph Freddrick Fisher, 46, of Goshen, in this and related cases.The murder is believed connected to an auto theft ring.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Clerk Resigns After Theft Allegations

Allegations of theft resulted in the resignation Monday of a clerk in Kosciusko Superior Court III. Jalaine M.Brumfield, 42, of 1403 Alpha St., Warsaw, was arrested on a Class D felony charge of theft and booked into Kosciusko County Jail Wednesday.She was later released on her own recognizance. Brumfield allegedly stole more than $2,000 since Jan.9, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed Tuesday in Kosciusko Superior Court. The investigation began last Friday when a woman called the clerk's office complaining that her driver's license was suspended.The woman told Kosciusko County Clerk Marsha McSherry that she paid her fine with a money order in June, but her license was suspended anyway. When McSherry investigated the matter, she allegedly found the ticket folder in a drawer of Brumfield's desk, according to court documents.The folder contained an envelope filed June 22, but no money order and no receipt was found for the woman.
TIFFANY SHAW Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Teen Gets 20 Years In Church Arson

After hearing an emotional statement from the pastor of the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church, Timothy Grevenstuk was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison. Grevenstuk, 18, was convicted last month, during a jury trial in Kosciusko Circuit Court, of setting the fire that destroyed the church in July 1997.He was sentenced to the minimum time for arson resulting in bodily injury, a Class A felony. Grevenstuk also was convicted of burglary to the church and theft in the same incident.His sentences for those two crimes will be served concurrently with the arson sentence. "Why would anyone want to burn a church down?" Pastor Jeff Hoffard asked at the sentencing hearing.Hoffard said he and his church members have been asking themselves that question for the past year and just don't understand.
TIFFANY SHAW Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

County Car Dealer Faces Tax Charges

Kolin J.Young, owner of Kol's Auto Sales in Warsaw, was arrested June 6 on 27 counts of failure to remit sales tax and one count of theft.All 28 counts are Class D felonies.Each Class D felony carries a maximum penalty of three years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. Young, a Kosciusko County resident, was arrested after the Indiana Department of Revenue's Criminal Investigation Division filed charges with the Kosciusko County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as a result of an investigation into the auto dealer's business practices. Young is alleged to have collected more than $20,000 in sales tax from his customers but failed to remit those taxes to the state.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Three Arrested In Friday's Armed Robbery Of Warsaw Restaurant

Three people are in custody for allegedly robbing the Penguin Point store on North Detroit Street just after closing on Friday night.Two of the suspects are former employees of the franchise. Matthew E.Strouse, 18, of 340 E.Levi Lee Road #134, Warsaw, and Perry Peconga, 21, of 1763 W.CR 300S, Warsaw, are each preliminarily charged with robbery while armed, a Class B felony.Each is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $20,000 bond. The third suspect, Katie Joy Hyde, 18, of 111 W.Church St., Leesburg, is preliminarily charged with aiding in a robbery.Her bond is also set at $20,000. After the robbery, the three allegedly stayed overnight in a Columbia City motel and, on Saturday, went shopping in Fort Wayne and spent some of the money taken Friday night.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Citizens Welcome To Apply To Warsaw Police Academy

Ever wondered about the inner workings of the police department or the justice system? Warsaw residents who are interested in learning about all aspects of police work could get the chance during the 14th Class of the Warsaw Citizen's Police Academy. Applications for the academy currently are being accepted at the Warsaw Police Department.The deadline for applications is Aug.4.Those selected to participate in the academy will be notified before the Aug.27 new class mixer.The class, which will consist of 20-to-25 people, begins Sept.6 and continues for 10 weeks. The goal of the course, which is coordinated through the WPD's Crime Prevention Office, is to develop positive relationships between the police and the community.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Bourbon Seeks Solutions To Vandalism Problem

BOURBON - A rash of vandalism in this quiet, rural community's town park has the clerk-treasurer shaking her head. The most recent episode resulted in destruction of towel dispensers and stall curtains in the restroom.At the same time shingles were ripped from the roof, picnic tables turned over with attempts made to set them on fire, a security light dismantled and thrown in the trash, a charcoal grill tipped over and litter from trash containers scattered about.Clerk Jacqualine Murphy said recently that a door to one of the restrooms was vandalized last year with a resulting cost of $1,000 for its replacement.During that time, Murphy said, damaged light fixtures were replaced with theft-proof ones, which were then stolen.
MARILYN GOCHENOUR, Times-Union Correspondent- | July 28, 2016

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.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Suspect Brought Back To Indiana

Lawrence Grant, 29, Shipshewana, was returned to Kosciusko County early Friday morning from Florida, according to Kosciusko County Prosecutor Chuck Waggoner. Grant is one of a possible six suspects connected with the murder of Kathy Vroman, 48, Milford, in January and the theft of three vehicles from Rice Ford, Warsaw. He is being held in the Kosciusko County jail on a $50,000 surety-only bond on three charges: auto theft, assisting a criminal and unlawful movement of a body, Waggoner said Friday.Grant had an initial hearing at approximately 3 p.m.Friday before Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed. His pretrial conference hearing is set for March 16. Grant allegedly fled to Florida after Vroman was killed.He surrendered to authorities in Florida shortly before the case began to unfold here. Jason Fisher, 22, of Millersburg, remains held without bond in the county jail on a charge of murder.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warsawan Still Battling '91 Identity Theft

When Kim Umbaugh lost her purse while shopping at Amish Acres in Nappanee 14 years ago, she had no idea what she was in for. After the purse was stolen, Kim and her husband Randy, Warsaw, contacted credit card companies and their bank to report the theft. Little did they know that their ordeal was just beginning. The thief got ahold of Kim's driver's license and Social Security number and used her personal information to open a checking account at a bank in Bloomington.The person, who to the Umbaughs' knowledge was never caught, then went on a three-day spending spree and spent more than $3,000 at 40 locations in southern Indiana. Kim was unaware of the account until a detective from Bloomington contacted her about two months later.After speaking with Kim, the detective realized that Kim was a victim of identity theft. That was in 1991.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Guilty Verdicts In Armed Robbery Trial

Three sets of deliberations led to three guilty verdicts for the same man Wednesday afternoon in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Once a 12-person jury found Richard A.Mitchell, 45, of Fort Wayne, guilty of armed robbery, they had to decide if Mitchell was guilty of being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun.After that decision, the jury heard more information and determined Mitchell was a habitual felony offender. After three days of testimony from 19 witnesses, the jury was sent to decide if they believed Mitchell robbed Stimmelators Gentlemen's Club with a gun Aug.12, 2003.After about three hours of deliberation, the jury returned with a guilty verdict around 1:22 p.m. As Mitchell's wife sobbed quietly in the back of the courtroom, Judge Rex Reed informed jury members that phase two of the trial was ready to begin.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Local Reported Crime Rises Slightly During 2000

In nontraffic-related FBI reportable crimes, there was a total increase from 1999 (1,061) to 2000 (1,100) of 3.6 percent. These numbers come from the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Office Annual Statistics Report for 2000, which was recently released by Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine. There was one homicide in 2000 and five rapes, with both categories reporting no increase or decrease from 1999. The greatest increase in FBI reportable crime came in the auto theft category, where 45 cases were reported in 2000, marking an increase of 35.6 percent from 1999, when there were 29 auto thefts. Robberies were up 28.6 percent, with seven reported in 2000 versus five in 1999, and thefts up 13.8 percent, from 553 in 1999 to 641 in 2000.Burglaries went down 20.8 percent, from 241 in 1999 to 191 in 2000.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Dimas Seeks Continuance, Mistrial

Motions for a continuance and a mistrial were denied Monday in the murder case against Christoval Dimas, 26, of Ligonier.But Mother Nature's snow blanket overnight led to the suspension of the trial for today.Proceedings will resume Wednesday. Michael Miner, the court-appointed attorney for Dimas, first asked for a continuance until today because his client was "emotionally upset" as a result of two attempted hangings by his cellmates during the weekend.During a break in testimony, in fact, Dimas told a security officer that he didn't sleep the previous night. "I'm not here," Dimas said."My mind's not here ...I'm nervous.I'm scared - not because of this trial.I'm gonna beat this trial." All of those comments were made outside the presence of the six-man, six-woman jury with two female alternates. Dimas is charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in the death of Crystal Gayle Homister, 22, of Elkhart.
RUTH ANNE LIPKA, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Warrant Issued For Third Man In Theft Of Construction Tools

Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department is investigating a third man in connection with two January theft arrests. A warrant for Ryan Miller was issued in late January, though police have not yet been successful in serving it. Miller allegedly is involved with the construction-site burglary ring that led to the arrests of Mark and Brian Slone in January. Police recovered more than $60,000 worth of stolen constuction equipment, tools and building materials from the Slones' residences. Miller allegedly was a house guest at Mark Slone's Diamond Lake residence. According to a police press release, more items have been recovered at a Diamond Lake residence.It is unclear if the residence referred to is Slone's.No police were available for clarification. The items recovered are from a residential burglary in early January of a home at 10488 W.CR 800N, Warsaw. The theft investigation reportedly is ongoing in several surrounding counties and Kentucky.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

3rd Man Faces Theft Charges; Search Nets Allegedly Stolen Items

Police arrested a third man in connection with stolen construction tools and equipment and recovered more property at the man's residence. Ryan Lee Miller, 27, of 552 E.CR 300S, was arrested at 9:50 a.m.at his residence on prior charges of visiting a common nuisance. Theft charges are forthcoming, police said, after a search warrant was executed at Miller's home following his arrest. Patrol, investigative and drug task force officers searched the residence and seized tools and other allegedly stolen items. An arrest warrant was issued for Miller in late January on the nuisance charge. Police believe he is involved in burglaries to several construction sites.Arrested earlier on charges related to construction site burglaries were Mark and Brian Slone. Police recovered more than $60,000 in allegedly stolen items from the Slones' properties and have released tools and equipment to more than 20 victims. At least 12 more victims are scheduled to recover items.
KRISTA PRIMROSE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Meijer Request Tabled

Meijer's request to rezone 41.65 acres to special commercial (C5) to build a store at 900 Husky Trail, along Patterson Road, was tabled by the Warsaw City Council Monday. The Warsaw Plan Commission unanimously recommended April 10 that the council deny the petition. Councilman and plan commission president Joe Thallemer said approximately 22.5 acres of the tract are currently zoned residential (R1) and the remaining 19 acres are zoned commercial (C3). "Tonight is strictly a land-use decision," city planner Jeff Noffsinger said. Council members were faced with deciding whether or not the commercial zoning of the 41.65 acres is appropriate. Meijer's attorney, Steve Snyder, said the "uses in a C5 category are essentially the same" as the current C3 zoning. Snyder asked council members to decide the highest and best use for the tract. "Approximately half of the land we're talking about here is already zoned commercial," Snyder said.
LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Poll Workers Review New Rules, For Upcoming Election

About 40 poll workers, clerks, judges and inspectors attended an informational meeting Monday afternoon to review new election day procedures and new ballot equipment. Prior to signing the poll book, voters will be asked to present photo identification cards generated by state or federal governments. Voters with appropriate identification will be asked to sign the poll book below their signature.Signatures have been electronically scanned and appear along with the voter's name and address in the poll book. The IDs must have an expiration date, or have expired after the last general election (Nov.2, 2004). If a voter's address doesn't match the one on the provided ID, additional proof of identity may be requested.Items like utility bills or bank statements are acceptable as supporting identification. If a challenged voter hasn't signed the poll list, he or she may return with proper identification.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016
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