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Charges Dropped In Sex Offenses

Charges against a Pierceton man accused of raping three teenage girls he knew in July have been dropped by the Kosciusko County Prosecutor's office. Maximo Pete Ybarra, 22, was being held in the Kosciusko County Jail after being charged with 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. The prosecutor's office decided last week not to proceed with the charges after the investigation revealed conflicting evidence. Additionally, court records show that two of the alleged victims, girls now 16 and 17 years old, could not be served with subpoenas for depositions because they could not be located. According to a police report filed July 21 at the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, three juvenile girls reported being raped at a residence on Channel Road in Warsaw.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

7 Arrested On Drug Charges

An investigation into the theft of a gun led to the arrest of seven people on drug charges. Gabriel Chavez Romero, 35, of 3104 E.Wooster Road Lot 31, Pierceton, and Baltazar Madrigal Mora, 47, same address, were arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, a Class C felony, and possession of stolen property, a Class D felony, according to a Kosciusko County Special Operations Team Drug Task Force press release. Others arrested included: Maria Torres-Garcia, 32; Miguel Quiroz-Garcia, 40; Jose Garcia Olivera, 19; and Luis Quiroz-Torres, 22, all illegal aliens from Mexico; and Vincente Muniz, 20, of 2441 W.CR 250S Lot 35, Warsaw.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Doctor's Office Employee Faces Drug Charges

A former employee of a Warsaw doctor's office faces charges after allegedly ordering prescription drugs while posing as an employee authorized to place the order. Sylvia J.Gargett, 52, of 6977 E.Waco Drive, Syracuse, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Saturday night on two counts each of identity deception and attempting to obtain a controlled substance by fraud and one charge of attempted theft.All of the charges are Class D felony offenses, each punishable by up to three years in prison.Gargett was released from custody after posting a $2,000 bond. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Kosciusko Superior Court I, Gargett was employed by Dr.Roberta E.Rose, an orthopedic surgeon in Warsaw, from 1989 through 2000.Gargett worked as an assistant bookkeeper until she was terminated on July 27, 2000, for violation of office policies.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Police Chase Ends In Accident, Fire; Suspect Escapes

A high-speed pursuit ended in a fiery crash Saturday night when a reserve police officer lost control of his vehicle and hit a house.The driver of the motorcycle being chased by police got away. Warsaw police initially tried to stop the motorcycle for speeding, but lost sight of the motorcycle near Biomet on U.S.30 during the initial chase.The vehicle was spotted a short time later west of town. "I want people to be perfectly clear that the person responsible for this is the fella on the motorcycle," Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine said this morning."He broke the law by failing to stop for the police officer."Rovenstine added that he and his department are sorry for the property loss resulting from the accident. During the first leg of the pursuit, the motorcyclist took police from Lake Street to Fox Farm Road to CR 150W, where the driver reportedly passed a van in a no-passing zone at 85 mph.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Charges Against Fisher May Change

Adding one charge could result in two other charges being dismissed against a Goshen man accused in connection with the death of a Milford woman. Ralph Freddrick Fisher, 46, came before Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed Monday seeking that the charges pending against him be dismissed. Fisher was charged in January with assisting a criminal and unlawful movement of a body.The charges result from the alleged murder of 48-year-old Kathy Vroman of Milford.Fisher's son, Jason Fisher, 22, of Middlebury, is charged with Vroman's murder. Ralph Fisher's attorney, Thomas Leatherman of Goshen, previously filed a motion for dismissal in the case, claiming his client was not aware of his son's alleged actions.The elder Fisher reportedly told his son and an alleged accomplice, Lawrence Grant, how to clean up the evidence of the shooting and dispose of Vroman's body.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Police Seek Clues In Theft Of Trailer

WINONA LAKE - Police are seeking the public's help in locating a construction trailer stolen over the weekend from a job site in Winona Lake. The white Haulmark trailer was parked in the 600 block of Park Avenue at the restoration site of the Winona Hotel. The trailer, valued at $1,700, contained between $6,000 and $7,000 worth of equipment and tools. It was last seen Saturday and was believed removed prior to Sunday's rain.The trailer was reported stolen this morning. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the trailer is asked to contact the Winona Lake Police Department at 267-8622.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Cop Cars Crash After Arrest

SIDNEY - Two officers were injured Wednesday afternoon in a three-squad car collision while officers were searching for a auto theft suspect. Kosciusko County Sheriff's deputy John D.Ayres, 29, was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital for head injuries and released.Indiana State Trooper Alan Lehman, 25, was also treated at KCH and released. All three police cars were damaged, with damage to Ayres' car estimated at $5,000 to $10,000.Damage reports for the other two squad cars were unavailable this morning. The accident occurred at 4:16 p.m.Wednesday on CR 400E, 350 feet north of CR 1000S, near Sidney. The officers were in the area searching for a suspect who stole a pickup earlier in the day from Mount Pleasant, Mich.The pickup was found in an accident on Ind.14, and the driver fled the scene on foot, heading north near CR 400E.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Been There, Done That

BY DAN SPALDING, Times-Union Staff Writer While counselors, police, social workers and courts have struggled for years on how to cope with and reach juvenile offenders, Keith Vant Hoff looked no further than the mirror. The tattoo-laden ex-convict, realizing his experiences could be turned around to help area youth, is the impetus behind a two-year-old program that continues to blossom and is being hailed by local authorities. The 40-year-old Vant Hoff is founder of a popular Friday night youth group that has met for two years at the 24-Hour Club on Center Street in Warsaw. Nine weeks ago, the group gained enough community support to open Safe Haven, a club in Boggs Industrial Park that attracts area youth who are willing to leave gang colors and drug use behind.The club is normally open on Saturdays from 2 to 11 p.m.
Former bad boy bikers offer kids a 'Safe Haven'- | July 28, 2016

Pierceton Revises Handicapped Parking Rules

PIERCETON - A revision of the handicapped parking ordinance will allow police to enforce it, ticketing able-bodied motorists who park in violation. Wording in the ordinance previously on the books didn't allow the Pierceton police to ticket violators.Passage of the revised ordinance Monday by the Pierceton Town Council gives police authority to ticket drivers illegally parked at any public handicapped space. Also, the council approved relocating one of the handicapped spaces in town that was on an incline.Wheelchair-bound people were having trouble negotiating from their vehicles in the space at the community building.It is now on the west side of the building. In other business, the council will review ordinances pertaining to loitering and curfew violations.Marshal George Alexander submitted the proposed ordinances, which are identical to those used in Warsaw.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Claypool Man Faces Three Child Pornography Charges

CLAYPOOL - Police Wednesday seized alleged pornographic materials from a Claypool residence and arrested a man on various related charges. John Kent Surface, 48, of 101 Warner Drive #9, Claypool, is charged with exhibiting obscene matter under 16 years of age, participating in obscene performance under 16 years of age and dissemination of matter harmful to minors, all Class D felonies.He is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $25,000 bond. According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, information received from a neighbor led them to seek a search warrant for Surface's residence.During execution of the search warrant, police seized child pornography, a computer, cameras, computer disks and sex-related books.Surface was also connected to the Internet, but the extent of its use is unknown at this time.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

3 Held In Syracuse Burglary

SYRACUSE - Three suspects are in custody for allegedly burglarizing a Syracuse business Tuesday. The three men are accused of breaking into Jack's Village Video, Huntington Street, Syracuse, and taking cash, videos and games.Police are continuing the investigation and reportedly think there may be a tie between this incident and several others in the area. Anthony Michael Hoover, 18, of 414 E.Medusa St., Syracuse, was booked into Kosciusko County Jail and charged with criminal mischief, theft/receiving stolen property, and possession of paraphernalia. Dustin Cordell Boggs, 18, of 11794 Robin Hood Road, Cromwell, was also booked on the same three charges.Brandon J.Hoffman, 18, of 303 E.Palm Drive, Syracuse, was booked on a charge of theft/receiving stolen property.Bond for each man was set at $250.
TIFFANY SHAW, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Police Seek Public's Help In Battle Against Drug Use, Abuse

Once again, law enforcement is looking to the public for help in eradicating drugs in the county. As a way of getting the public involved, the Kosciusko County Special Operations Team - the county's drug task force - is providing a publicized chance for tips to be delivered for investigations. Dubbed the "Enough" campaign, information can be submitted to the drug task force by telephone, fax or mail using a form (pictured) which will periodically be printed in the Times-Union. The information can be given anonymously, but those who do reveal their identity to authorities can rest assured that their identity will be kept confidential. The drug task force first used this program in 1990 and renewed it in January 1999.The SPOT officers hope this round will bring additional information for investigations.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Man Sought In Battery Against Restaurant Worker

Police are looking for a man accused of battering a restaurant employee early this morning. Warsaw police were called to the Hardee's Restaurant on Lake City Highway at 3:04 a.m.today after a man allegedly tried to pull a female employee out through the drive-up window. The woman told police that she refused to serve the man because he was using profanity.The man then reportedly became angry and reached in through the window, grabbing the woman by the front of her shirt and trying to pull her outside.Another employee pulled the co-worker free from the man's grasp. At one point, the employee's hand was closed in the drive-through window. Charges of battery and disorderly conduct are expected against the man pending confirmation of his identity.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016

Winona Hears Report From Bike Race Organizer

WINONA LAKE - The town council heard details about a cross-country mountain bike race Tuesday from organizer Eric Graves. Graves expects about 250 participants for the June 24 event. The race will be contained inside the former Chicago Boys Club property with the course open at 7 a.m.The race begins at 9 a.m.with the last riders beginning at 2:30 p.m. Parking for the race will be outside the entrance of The Boys Club except for officials and volunteers.Spectators and riders will park outside the entrance on two empty lots and others can park at the Winona Beach Park, the city building lots and lots across from Rodeheaver Auditorium.A shuttle to the course will be provided, Graves said. The council gave New Horizon Community Church a reduction of $229 in sewage fees and a smaller meter size. The church occupies the former Lakeland Academy, which was occupied every day and paid a minimum of $329 for sewage.
TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Suspected Purse Thief Nabbed By Local Cops

Women leaving their purses in their cars while paying for gasoline have been victims of thefts during the past week or so, but police believe they have the man responsible in custody. Rex Allan Renbarger, 46, of 1611 E.Market St., Warsaw, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Tuesday on one count of theft.He is being held on $2,000 bond. Detective Lt.Steve Adang of the Warsaw Police Department said his agency will seek multiple charges against Renbarger in connection with more than a dozen such thefts that have occurred in the past seven to 10 days. Renbarger was caught Tuesday afternoon after a Warsaw woman identified him as being involved in the theft of her purse while at the Phillips 66 station on North Detroit Street.Gloria Jean Hutcherson gave police a detailed description of Renbarger and the blue pickup he was driving.The vehicle was last seen northbound on North Detroit Street shortly before 4 p.m.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Orbans Win $3.2-Million Judgment Against Melching

INDIANAPOLIS - Former business partners - at odds after criminal charges were filed against one man and his wife and then dismissed - continue to fight legal battles with a $3.275-million judgment awarded last week. Charges of corrupt business influence, money laundering, perjury, theft, failure to remit sales tax, filing a false income tax return and fraud, against Richard and Janet Orban of North Webster all were dismissed in January 2001. The charges were dismissed by Judge Rex Reed in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Reed ruled that evidence in the case was mishandled, leaving the defendants unable to adequately defend themselves against the charges.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

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.
JEN GIBSON, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Teens Arrested After Alleged Drinking Party

Six teens were charged and warrants will be issued for two others after an alleged underage drinking party was disrupted by police. Steve Duane Stewart of Lincoln Drive, Warsaw, called police about 11:53 p.m.Monday after awaking to find the teens drinking in his house. Booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on charges of illegal possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor were Joey Lee Stewart, 19, of 1814 Lincoln Drive, Warsaw, and Sheldon Krishn Devanathan, 19, of 1516 Meadow Drive, Warsaw.Bond was set at $175 each. Also charged were: Amanda Ann Brown, 15, of 3561 N.CR 400E, Warsaw; Mary Elva Collins, 16, of 19 EMS R4H Lane, Pierceton; Aubrey Michelle Pfister, 15, of 2604 Faunn St., Winona Lake; and Jenna Lynn Ross, 14, of 614 N.Lindberg St., Warsaw. All were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and released to parents.
Ruth Anne Lipka, Times-Union Lifestyles Editor- | July 28, 2016

Police Investigate Attempted Theft Of Anhydrous Ammonia

An unknown person attempted to steal anhydrous ammonia from the CFS plant, 37 E.CR 900N, Milford, early this morning. According to a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department report, a deputy saw a fog or smoke cloud coming from the CFS plant at approximately 2:40 a.m.today.Upon inspection, officers discovered the fog appeared to be leaking from an anhydrous ammonia tank. Officers also saw what appeared to be a red portable air tank hooked by a hose with duct tape to the anhydrous ammonia tank valve, and the hose was leaking fumes into the air.The portable air tank was almost covered in frost. A Milford police officer searched for someone walking or hiding south on Old Road 15, but no one was found. Milford Fire Department stopped the leak and disconnected the hose from the anhydrous tank.An employee of CFS secured the portable air tank and hose in a locked storage area at CFS.The Special Operations Team (drug task force) will pick up the tank as evidence.
DAVID SLONE, Times-Union Staff Writer- | July 28, 2016

Grevenstuck Gets New Trial Date

Timothy Grevenstuk, the Leesburg teenager accused of arson, will face a new trial June 15 at 8:30 a.m.in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Grevenstuk, 17, faces a charge of arson causing bodily injury, a Class A felony, for allegedly setting a fire that destroyed the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church in July.A firefighter was reportedly injured fighting the fire, causing the charge to be upgraded to a Class A felony. The first trial for Grevenstuk was declared a mistrial May 12 by Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed. A juvenile friend of Grevenstuk allegedly threatened a jury member's daughter on a school bus.The friend reportedly said the girl's mother had better find Grevenstuk not guilty or else. The prosecution is reportedly adding witnesses to the case who heard the verbal threats.The girl is charged with obstruction of justice and had an initial hearing in juvenile court last week.
Staff Report- | July 28, 2016
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