A Plymouth man faces a pair of felony offenses in Starke County following the recent robbery and beating of an elderly Knox man. An officer from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office was called to the IU Health Starke Hospital emergency room Wednesday, Oct. 7 after Sisco Wireman was brought in after an apparent assault. The people who drove him to the hospital said a fight had taken place at a home in the 100 block of East 500 South.
Detectives from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office went to the residence and saw enough evidence in the driveway to apply for a search warrant, according to the incident report. Indiana State Police Crime Scene Technicians helped them collect evidence after the warrant was issued.
On Oct. 8 the detectives got a lead on a suspect reported to be staying at the Red Rock Inn in Plymouth and went there with local police to question him. He reportedly agreed to a search of his room, which turned up evidence officers say is connected to Wireman’s beating.
Jason Cooke
Jason Cooke, 36, of Plymouth, is charged with robbery resulting in serious bodily injury. It’s a level 2 felony punishable by anywhere from 10 to 30 years in prison. Cooke is also facing a charge of aggravated battery resulting in serious bodily injury, which carries a possible prison term of between three and 16 years in prison. He’s jailed on $100,000 surety or $75,000 cash bond in Starke County.
The victim of an officer-involved shooting southwest of North Judson has been airlifted.
A deputy from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office was involved, and the Indiana State Police have been called in to investigate. Details are sketchy at this time, but ISP officials confirm no officers were injured. There’s no word on the victim’s condition, and no names have been released. The North Judson-Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department cleared an area for MedFlight to land near the high school early this afternoon.
As confirmed information becomes available we will update this story on the air and online.
A domestic violence call to a rural North Judson residence late this morning ended with an officer-involved shooting. Officers from Starke County Sheriff’s Office and North Judson Police Department responded to a residence southwest of town around 11:45 a.m. That’s when investigators say a man got into a fight with officers and was shot. ISP officials confirm no officers were injured.The suspect was was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in South Bend with non-life threatening injuries. The medical helicopter landed at North Judson-San Pierre High School, but the school was not involved in the incident. Richard Joseph Benwell, 29 of North Judson has been named as the suspect in this incident.
There’s new information about the officer-involved shooting late Tuesday afternoon in North Judson.
Officers from the North Judson Police Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic violence call in the 5000 block of 800 West around 11:45 a.m. The suspect, 29-year-old Richard Joseph Benwell of North Judson, came out of the residence and refused to follow commands from the officers. That’s according to an Indiana State Police detective who was assigned to the case.
His report indicates Benwell tried to go back into the house and was stopped. That’s when a fight ensued, during which one officer’s gun went off twice but did not hit anyone. Benwell was also tased numerous times to no avail, according to the report. That’s when he was shot once. An ambulance was dispatched immediately, and MedFlight was requested. The helicopter landed at North Judson-San Pierre High School and took Benwell to South Bend. His injuries have been described as non-life threatening. However, the hospital does not have a patient by that name in their directory.
The names of the officers involved in the incident have not yet been released. Once the ISP investigation is complete, all reports will be submitted to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office for full review. Officials note this could take several weeks.
The North Judson man shot by police responding to a call at his residence is in stable condition at Memorial Hospital of South Bend. That’s where 29-year-old Richard Joseph Benwell was airlifted early Tuesday afternoon with what was described as a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin says sheriff’s deputies and North Judson Police were notified by dispatchers of a man hitting his fiancée’s car with a sledgehammer in the 5000 block of 800 South. That’s southwest of North Judson.
Benwell came out of the residence and refused to follow commands from the officers, according to an Indiana State Police detective who was assigned to the case.
His report indicates Benwell tried to go back into the house, was stopped and a fight ensued. An officer’s gun went off twice but did not hit anyone. Benwell was also tased numerous times to no avail, according to the report, after which he was shot once. An ambulance was dispatched immediately, and MedFlight was requested. The helicopter landed at North Judson-San Pierre High School and took Benwell to South Bend.
The Indiana State Police investigation is continuing. Once it’s complete, reports will be turned over to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office for review. ISP officials note that could take several weeks. The names of the officers involved have not been released.
10/25/15 – North Judson Police took a vandalism report after a home in the 100 block of George Street was egged and TPd.
10/26/15 – North Judson Police took a report of an unlawful residential entry resulting in the theft of a flat screen television. Civil and domestic concerns are also involved, according to police.
10/27/15 – North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely investigated a personal injury accident at the intersection of SR 10 and Lane Street. A vehicle heading north on Wilson Street was crossing State Road 10 onto Lane Street and struck a vehicle traveling westbound on State Road 10. The driver of the vehicle that was struck was taken to IU Health Starke Hospital by ambulance with complaints of neck and back pain. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police assisted with the investigation. Damage was estimated at almost $3,000.
10/28/15 – Extra patrols were requested in the 600 block of Keller Avenue.
10/28/15 – A women reported being scammed out of about $1,200 over the Internet. She was contacted via email by someone claiming to be her granddaughter asking for help and money. In this case there is no available recourse due to the way the money was transferred. Another scam reported this week involved a threat of arrest if funds weren’t transferred to the IRS within 45 minutes. North Judson Police note these are scams. They advise anyone who gets an email or telephone call from a family member asking for money to call the number they have for the person or call their parents before sending money. North Judson Police Chief Doug Vessely also reminds people the IRS will not make telephone calls to collect money. They will use the U.S. Mail and will not make threatening telephone calls. Vessely reminds people to not give their bank or credit card numbers out over the telephone unless they initiate contact with someone and to contact the police regarding any suspicious activity. He adds the best thing to do is to hang up on would-be scam callers.
10/29/15 – Officials at a local school reported a custody dispute to North Judson Police.
10/29/15 – North Judson Police responded to a trespassing complaint and a civil matter in the 300 block of Lane Street. Information was forwarded to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office for review and consideration of possible charges.
10/31/15 – An aluminum boat was reported stolen from the 100 block of State Street. It is believed the older boat was scrapped.
10/31/15 – A North Judson officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with an expired registration on Talmer Avenue at Ono Drive. The vehicle was previously reported stolen out of LaPorte County. A report was provided to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office for the consideration of charges, and the vehicle was impounded.
11/02/15 – Officers responded to a suspicious circumstance complaint in the 600 block of East Talmer Ave.
11/02/15 – A North Judson resident was walking in the area of east Weninger Street and Walnut Street reported being followed by a group of juveniles. The officer was unable to locate the youngsters.
11/03/15 – North Judson Police responded to a property damage accident in the area of SR 10 and CR 250 W. Damages are estimated at over $2,500.
11/04/15 – A neighbor dispute was reported to in the 300 block of Leslie Street.
11/05/15 – North Judson Police were called to the 400 block of Keller Avenue in reference to an unwanted subject. The subject left walking to his parents’ home.
11/06/15 – A resident in the area of Sycamore and Mullberry Streets reported a traffic complaint and requested extra patrols.
11/09/15 – North Judson Police responded to a suspicious person complaint in the 600 block of Oakwood Street. Chief Doug Vessely found subject on Lane Street and he advised he was looking for someone.
11/12/15 – North Judson Police responded to a neighbor dispute in the 400 block of Main Street.
11/15/15 – A resident in the 100 block of State Street reported the theft of items from unlocked vehicles. The North Judson Police Department reminds residents to make sure their vehicles and homes are locked to prevent such incidents.
11/16/15 – A resident in the 600 block of Laurel Street reported damage to her door and storm door.
11/17/15 – North Judson Police assisted a stranded motorist in the area of State Road 10 and 775 West. Officers provided traffic control until a tow truck arrived.
11/18/15 – North Judson Police responded to a neighbor dispute in the 100 block of East Sycamore Street.
11/19/15 – North Judson Police are still investigating a hit-and-run property damage accident in the 100 block of East Sycamore Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department.
11/20/15 – A burn complaint was reported in the area of Garfield and Cherry Streets.
11/20/15 – North Judson Police responded to an animal complaint in the 200 block of East State Street
11/20/15 – North Judson Police responded to a vehicle versus combine property damage accident in the area of SR 10 and 100 West. It is still under investigation.
Arrests:
Inclusion in the arrest reports is merely a record an arrest has been made and is not an indication of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
11/12/15 – Joseph Tyson Bihlmayer, 30, Knox – Driving while suspended/prior and a Marshall County warrant
11/12/15 – Ronald J. Siebert Jr., 27, North Judson – Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle.
11/15/15 – Adam Lee White, 32, North Judson – Knox City Court warrant
11/17/15 -John Wesley Rupert, 32, North Judson – Starke Circuit Court warrant and Jasper County warrant.
11/19/15 – Dustin Wade Large, 30, North Judson – Porter County warrant.
Starke County Sheriff’s Office
Incidents:
11/5/15 – Hamlet Police were notified of a bucket of apparent meth supplies on Starke Street near the NIPSCO line.
11/5/15 – A resident in the 7800 block of North Tippecanoe Drive N. in Walkerton reported his neighbor is playing his music so loud it is rattling the neighborhood.
11/5/15 – A Knox resident reported receiving a telephone call advising she won a sweepstakes and needed to send money. She did, and received another telephone call advising more money was needed. Her bank advised her to file a police report.
11/5/15 – A motorist called the sheriff’s office to report hitting a deer on State Road 39 near the Starke/Pulaski County line. He was able to drive home and believes damage to his vehicle is less than $1,000.
11/6/15 – A resident in the 8500 block of east 200 South in Knox reported the theft of items.
11/6/15 – A resident in the 4800 block of South State Road 39 in North Judson reported her mailbox was knocked down.
11/6/15 – A Walkerton resident reported receiving an IRS scam call.
11/7/15 – A resident in the 4300 block of south 100 West in North Judson reported items were stolen from his vehicle in the middle of the night.
11/7/15 – Officers were notified of a property damage accident in the 8300 block of east 200 North in Grovertown.
11/7/15 – A Walkerton resident reported the theft of items.
11/7/15 – A resident in the 7700 block of East 625 South in Knox requested a theft report.
11/7/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and Bass Lake Fire Department responded to a battery report in the 8600 block of South Sycamore Street in Monterey.
11/7/15 – A motorist hit a raccoon on 400 South one mile east of U.S. 421.
11/8/15 – Officers responded to a vehicle versus deer crash on U.S. 35 at State Road 10 in Knox.
11/8/15 – Officers were notified of a suspicious vehicle with Michigan plates in the area of the Bass Lake Cemetery.
11/8/15 – A possible poaching incident was reported in the 2300 block of East 800 South in North Judson.
11/8/15 – A sheriff’s deputy responded to a vehicle versus deer property damage accident in the 1500 block of East 500 South in Knox.
11/8/15 – Officers responded to a vehicle versus deer property damage accident on U.S. 35 by the bowling alley in Knox.
11/9/15 – A sheriff’s deputy responded to a vehicle versus deer crash on 750 East north of 700 South in Monterey.
11/9/15 – A deputy took a report of a vehicle versus deer crash that happened near the intersection of State Road 39 and State Road 10 in North Judson.
11/9/15 – A resident in the 6400 block of East 25 North in Knox reported her purse was stolen out of her vehicle sometime overnight.
11/9/15 – A resident in the 2300 block of West U Road in North Judson reported vandalism to a truck and a car parked in the driveway.
11/9/15 – A HicksGas employee reported a tank missing in the 400 block of North 1025 East in Knox.
11/9/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported at the intersection of State Road 23 and State Road 10.
11/9/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 23 north of Toto Road.
11/9/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 600 East north of U.S. 30 in Knox.
11/9/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported at the intersection of Toto Road and 100 West.
11/10/15 – A resident in the 4200 block of East 216 South in Knox reported the theft of several articles of clothing and electronic game systems.
11/10/15 – Officers responded to a vehicle versus deer crash on U.S. 30 east of Knoll Brothers in Hamlet.
11/10/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash report was requested for an accident in the 1300 block of North 500 East in Knox.
Arrests:
Inclusion in the arrest reports is merely a record an arrest was made and is not an indication of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
11/7/15 – Quenten Daniel Bount, 18, North Judson – Drug possession.
11/22/15 – North Judson Police responded to a report of harassment at a business on Mulberry Street.
11/23/15 – A vehicle versus deer property damage accident was reported near County Road 500 West and State Road 10. Damages were set at more than $2,500. No injuries were reported.
11/25/15 – Officers dealt with an unruly person in the 700 block of East Talmer Avenue.
11/25/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported to North Judson Police. It happened near the intersection of State Roads 8 and 39, but the driver was able to get the car home. Damages were estimated at more than $2,500.
11/26/15 – A newer tenant in the 700 block of East Talmer Avenue reported what they thought were people in their home. No one was located, and it believed to be “old house noises.”
Arrests
Inclusion in the arrest reports is merely a record an arrest was made and is not an indication of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
11/29/15 –Dewayne Davis, 37, Knox – O.V.W.I.
Starke County Sheriff’s Office
Incidents
11/10/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 1300 block of North 500 East in Knox.
11/11/15 – A resident in the 4900 block of South 300 East in Knox reported the theft of silver coins and jewelry from the residence.
11/11/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on U.S. 30 eastbound at Knoll Brothers.
11/11/15 – Deputies from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox-Center Township Fire Department First Responders responded to a vehicle versus telephone pole crash in the 1700 block of South 300 East in Knox.
11/11/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 300 East north of State Road 8 in Knox.
11/13/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and Bass Lake Fire Department First Responders all responded to a two-vehicle injury accident on U.S. 35 and 800 South near the Starke/Pulaski County line.
11/13/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 23 at 300 North in Knox.
11/13/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on U.S. 421 near 500 South in North Judson.
11/13/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 8 east of 550 East in Knox.
11/14/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 10 west of the Marshall County line.
11/14/15 – A resident in the 9900 block of East Toto Road reported a residential break-in.
11/14/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 3800 block of South U.S. 35 in Knox.
11/15/15 – A purse was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 7300 block of East 50 South in Knox.
11/15/15 – A sheriff’s deputy took a theft report from someone who advised a trailer in the 3100 block of South 100 West in North Judson was broken into and everything was stolen.
11/15/15 – A Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy, Starke County EMS and fire department first responders responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch at 1000 East and 200 South in Knox.
11/15/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 1900 block of South 700 East in Knox.
11/16/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported down the road from Oregon-Davis Schools.
11/16/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 1400 block of West Toto Road.
11/16/15 – A log splitter was reported stolen in the 3100 block of South 250 East in Knox.
11/16/15 – A resident in the 6100 block of East 25 North in Knox asked to file a theft report for unspecified items.
11/16/16 – A resident in the 7100 block of East 50 South in Knox reported the theft of a .380 handgun and a .32 handgun from the residence.
11/16/15 – A resident reported between 40 and 50 tires have been dumped along the road in the ditch at the intersection of 800 South and 300 East in Knox.
11/16/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 700 East south of Toto Road in Knox.
11/16/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 10 west of U.S. 35 in Knox.
11/17/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 2200 block of South U.S. 35.
11/17/15 – A resident in the 3100 block of South 900 West in San Pierre reported the theft of a trailer ball hitch from his vehicle.
11/17/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department all responded to a single-vehicle crash on U.S. 35 at 300 North in Knox.
11/17/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 600 North east of 750 East in Hamlet.
11/17/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 10 one mile east of State Road 39 in North Judson.
11/18/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and fire department first responders responded to a single-vehicle rollover accident on 700 East south of 200 South in Knox.
11/18/15 – A resident in the 6300 block of South 375 West in North Judson reported her car was broken into.
11/18/15 – A Walkerton resident reported a car ran into several mailboxes in the 10800 block of East South Ave.
11/18/15 – A resident in the 2300 block of South 650 West in North Judson reported someone put a yellow liquid in her mailbox.
11/18/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS, Hamlet Police Department and Koontz Lake Fire Department First Responders all responded to a rollover accident in the 5600 block of State Road 23 in Grovertown.
11/19/15 – A farmer reported an alarm was going off on his irrigation system at 850 South and 1000 East. One person was arrested.
11/19/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 23 near the Washington Township Fire Department.
11/19/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 7200 block of South 250 West in North Judson.
11/19/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and first responders responded to a two-vehicle personal injury accident at the intersection of 700 East and 25 North in Knox.
11/19/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Department First Responders all responded to a single-vehicle accident in the 2800 block of south State Road 39 in North Judson.
11/19/15 – Police and first responders responded to a three-vehicle property damage accident on State Road 10 at 100 East in North Judson.
11/19/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 350 East at Country Lane Estates in Knox.
11/19/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported at the intersection of State Road 10 and State Road 39 North in North Judson.
11/19/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported near the intersection of State Road 10 and Range Road.
11/20/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 39 north of State Road 10 in North Judson.
11/20/15 – A freezer was reported stolen from a corn crib in the 6200 block of North 300 East in Knox.
11/20/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 39 south of State Road 10 in North Judson.
11/20/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on U.S. 35 north of 900 South in Knox.
11/21/15 – A resident in the 2300 block of West 400 South in Knox reported hitting a deer on State Road 39 the previous night.
11/21/15 – A vehicle versus pole accident was reported on State Road 8 at the Yellow River Bridge in Knox.
11/21/15 – A slide-off was reported on U.S. 421 south of State Road 10.
11/21/15 – A slide-off was reported on U.S. 35 south of North State Road 8 in Knox.
11/21/15 – A slide-off was reported on U.S. 30 westbound west of the truck stop.
11/22/15 – A resident in the 8900 block of South Jefferson Street in Monterey requested a report for items stolen from her residence.
11/22/15 – A resident in the 1400 block of West Toto Road reported a suspicious snowmobile on her property.
11/22/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Knox Police Department, Knox Fire Department First Responders and Starke County EMS responded to a single-vehicle crash on 25 North between 600 East and U.S. 35 in Knox.
11/22/15 – A single-vehicle accident was reported in the westbound lanes of U.S. 30 east of U.S. 35.
11/22/15 – A property damage accident was reported in the 1900 block of 250 in North Judson.
11/30/15 – A Kingsford Heights resident called the Starke County Sheriff’s Office to report hitting the guardrail at U.S. 35 and Old 30 the previous night.
11/23/15 – A resident in the 7200 block of South 250 West in North Judson reported a known suspect damaged his vehicle before leaving his residence. The officer who responded was not able to locate the suspect but took an accident report.
11/23/15 – A slide-off was reported on State Road 10 east of State Road 39 in North Judson.
11/24/15 – A resident in the 7000 block of South 250 West in North Judson reported someone broke into her tan 2000 Ford Explorer while it was parked at her residence.
11/24/15 – A resident in the 3800 block of East 200 North in Knox reported someone broke into his locked building during the night and took several shop items. The same caller later advised another building was also broken into.
11/24/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 650 West at the LaPorte County line.
11/25/15 – A resident in the 2600 block of West 500 South in North Judson advised the mailbox was smashed sometime overnight.
11/25/15 – A resident in the 6700 block of South 250 West in North Judson reported the theft of a .44 rifle.
11/25/15 – A resident in the 4400 block of South 650 West in North Judson reported someone tried to blow up her mailbox and said whatever they tried to use is still inside.
11/25/15 – A single-vehicle property damage accident was reported on 1150 East south of Toto Road.
11/26/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 39 south of Toto Road in North Judson.
11/27/15 – A resident in the 4300 block of South 100 West in North Judson reported the theft of her mailbox.
11/27/15 – A vehicle versus pole property damage accident was reported in the 3800 block of South U.S. 35 in Knox.
11/27/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported at the interection of U.S. 35 and State Road 10 in Knox.
11/28/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the westbound lane of U.S. 30 in Grovertown.
11/28/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on U.S. 35 north of the Melody Drive-In in Knox.
11/28/15 – A North Judson resident reported her debit card was stolen and fraudulently used.
11/28/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Hamlet Police Department responded to a loud party complaint near Stanley’s Marina in Walkerton and arrested 21 people for various drug and alcohol offenses.
11/29/15 – A resident in the 11500 block of East South Ave. in Walkerton reported people on his deck possibly trying to break in. He found a cell phone in the yard, some broken chairs and a wallet. He said at least one person took off running south.
11/29/15 – A resident in the 7500 block of East 200 North in Knox came home and found his driveway was all torn up near the roadway. He also advised someone was in his field doing donuts.
11/29/15 – A resident in the 4000 block of South 300 East in Knox reported the theft of a hog roaster.
Arrests
Inclusion in the arrest reports is merely a record an arrest occurred and is not an indication of guilt. All defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
11/12/15 – Max A. Stills, 26, Culver – possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, possession of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine.
11/19/15 – Jamin Marie Dewitt, 32, Argos – Assisting a criminal.
11/20/15 – Kurt Norem, 49, Knox – Driving while suspended prior.
11/21/15 – Edward Kenneth Johnson, 49, Warsaw – Driving while suspended prior.
11/25/15 – Graham Michael Richie, 27, North Judson – Warrant.
11/28/15 – Noe Gutierrez, 25, address not listed – Operator never licensed.
11/28/15 – Tyler Andrew Felten, 20, Bremen – Dealing in marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of marijuana.
11/28/15 – Kerry Andrew Herman, 19, Bremen – Maintaining a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Daniel Barrious-Reynoso, 19, address not listed – Resisting law enforcement, illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Lindsay Jade Berger, 23, Bremen – Contributing to the delinquency of a minor and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Stephanie Guadalupe Jimenez, 21, Bremen – Contributing to the delinquency of a minor and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Vianca Montesdeoca, 21, Bremen – Contributing to the delinquency of a minor and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Jacob Clayton Box, 21, Bremen – Contributing to the delinquency of a minor and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Mason S. Wardlow, 20, Knox – Resisting law enforcement, illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage, visiting a common nuisance and possession of paraphernalia.
11/28/15 – Alaen Christopher Medrano, 18, Plymouth – Resisting law enforcement, false informing, illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Cameron James Mattson, 19, Grovertown – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Brittney Michelle Hundt, 19, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Wyatt Dalton Gordy, 19, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Benjamin Andrew Thornton, 19, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Nicholas Christopher Bowling, 20, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Joel Alexander Miller, 20, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Taylor Ryan Yoder, 18, Bremen – illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Casey Jean Scott, 19, Bourbon – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Phoenix Wayne Ricketts, 20, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Kaycee Marie Wagoner, 19, Bremen – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Kayla Dawn Cangiano, 19, Knox – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage and visiting a common nuisance.
11/28/15 – Jhordan J. Cole, 23, no address listed – Disorderely conduct, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and visiting a common nuisance.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office has announced the addition of a new chaplain.
Pastor James Adcock of the Bible Baptist Church is giving of his time and talent to work specifically with officers. He says it’s a new concept for the department, “I’m actually the first Starke County chaplain that we know of, as far as just to the police officers. There are other chaplains for the inmates, but I’ll be one specifically just for the officers and the Sheriff’s Department.”
Pastor Adcock says he’s excited about the opportunity to help the officers however he can, “Part of my duty will be praying for them, just being there for them if they need to talk about anything. If they have family issues, they can talk to me confidentially. If they just need to vent about a certain case, or talk about anything personally or about the job, I’m there to listen and keep their confidentiality and just help them through it.”
He says there’s recently been a lot of negativity directed at law enforcement from the American public, “I’d like to come in and help them work through that, as well as set a good example trying to help them strive to be the best they can for our community, even better than what they already are. I’d like to be there to try to heal marriages. Police officers and sheriff deputies have one of the highest-stress jobs there is, and if I come in and help them with their marriage or help them with their finances or help them personally, whether they’re dealing with depression or just discouragement over a case, and I can give them a hand, I think that would be a huge help to our community.”
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office recently added K9 Zardos to the force.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office hopes the newest addition to the department will help to take a bite out of crime. K9 Zardos was purchased recently with funds donated by members of the community. Sheriff Bill Dulin says the dog is certified in narcotics detection and tracking and was purchased from Vohn Liche Kennels in Denver, Ind.
Det. Sgt. Adam Gray and Zardos will work the second shift. Dulin says this will provide the sheriff’s office and other agencies in Starke County with round-the-clock K9 coverage. He believes the additional dog will help to significantly curb the county’s drug problem.
Det. Sgt. Rob Olejniczak and his K9 partner, Terror, are assigned to the day shift.
Dulin says the K9 program will continue to accept donations and conduct fundraisers to pay for vet bills and continuing training for both officers and their dogs. Cash donations or money orders made out to “Starke County K9 Fund” can be dropped off at the jail. Personal checks will not be accepted. All contributions are tax deductible.
Starke County EMS is now equipped to treat the county’s officer dogs. Director Keith Emigh says his staff went through training recently to provide care to the sheriff’s office K9s should they be wounded in the line of duty.
He told the county commissioners this week EMTs and paramedics can provide the same treatment to the officer dogs as they can to humans.
Starke County EMS wrote a grant to obtain an airway mask for the dogs and recently received it. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office recently added a second K9 to the ranks after Det. Sgt. Adam Gray and Zardos graduated from training. The dog was purchased with donated funds. Det. Sgt. Rob Olejniczak’s K9 partner, Terror, has been on the force for about a year. They are assigned to the day shift, while Zardos and Gray work nights. The North Judson Police Department also has a K9.
Knox Police say two people are in custody after a meth lab exploded early this morning.
They were dispatched to an upstairs apartment at the corner of Main and Lake Streets just after midnight. The building was evacuated, but Knox Police say two adults and a child fled before officers and firefighters showed up.
Det. Dave Combs from the Knox Police Department says they got a search warrant for the property and found an active meth lab. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called in to assist with the cleanup. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox Fire Department also responded. The names of the suspects have not yet been released. Combs adds two officers were taken to IU Health Starke Hospital for treatment of chemical burns.
The man and woman police say fled from a Knox apartment where a meth lab exploded early this morning are lodged in the Starke County Jail.
Both 33-year-old Jacob Hanselman and 25-year-old Tiffany Shivley face charges of manufacturing methamphetamine. The Knox Police and Fire Departments were summoned to their apartment at the corner of Main and Lake Streets in downtown Knox just after midnight. Police say Hanselman, Shivley and a preschool-age child fled before they arrived but were apprehended later this morning at the Knox Burger King. The child was turned over to DCS.
Officers got a search warrant for the apartment, where they reportedly found evidence of meth manufacture. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office also assisted, and the Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was called in for cleanup. A Knox Police Officer and a Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy were treated at IU Health Starke Hospital for chemical burns and released.
The Plymouth man accused of beating a Knox man to death back in October is now facing murder charges.
Jason Cooke, 36, of Plymouth, is accused of assaulting Sescoe Wireman of Knox at a home in the 100 block of East 500 South on Oct. 7th. He was initially charged with robbery resulting in serious bodily injury as a level 2 felony and aggravated battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff has upgraded those charges to murder in the perpetrating of a robbery along with robbery as a level 2 felony and aggravated battery as a level 3 felony. The probable cause affidavit indicates Cooke is accused of striking Wireman in the head and taking money, prescription medication, an Indiana ID card, multiple credit cards and money. The multiple blows initially caused a stroke which lead to his death, according to the court documents.
Wireman was brought to the IU Health Starke Hospital emergency room by private vehicle after the assault. The person who dropped him off told the staff a fight had taken place, and they notified the sheriff’s office. Detectives went to the residence and saw enough evidence in the driveway to obtain a search warrant, according to the initial incident report. They were assisted by Indiana State Police crime scene technicians.
The following day they got a lead on a suspect reported to be staying at the Red Rock Inn in Plymouth and went there with local police to question him. He reportedly agreed to a search of his room, which turned up evidence officers say is connected to Wireman’s beating. Cooke was arrested Oct. 9th and remains in the Starke County Jail.
A man and woman from Knox are jailed on drug charges following an investigation by the Knox Police Department.
They executed a search warrant Thursday at a home in the 300 block of Riverside Drive and arrested 30-year-old Kristin R. Lenig and 31-year old Eric T. Baughman. Formal charges are pending, but preliminary charges include illegal drug lab, possession of a narcotic drug and possession of methamphetamine. Deputies and a K-9 unit from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the warrant execution.
12/06/15 – The North Judson Police received an animal complaint in the 300 Block of Main Street.
12/09/15 – A woman contacted the police and reported someone went through her vehicle the previous night in the North Judson-San Pierre High School parking lot and removed items.
12/09/15 – North Judson Police investigated a minor property damage accident in the Good to Go parking lot. No injuries were reported, and no citations were issued. Damages were estimated at near $1,000.
12/14/15 – A motorcycle license plate was found at the intersection of State Road 10 and Range Road and turned in to the North Judson Police Department.
12/14/15 – A camera was reported stolen by a resident in the 100 block of East Sycamore Street. The incident remains under investigation.
12/14/15 – North Judson Police responded to a suspicious circumstance call in the 200 block of E. Weninger Street.
12/17/15 – Items were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 200 block of Leslie Street.
12/18/15 – North Judson Police responded to an intimidation call in the 200 block of east Weninger Street. A report was sent to the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.
Starke County Sheriff’s Office
Incidents:
12/03/15 – Deputies responded to a vehicle versus deer crash on State Road 23 at 900 East in Grovertown.
12/03/15 – Deputies responded to a property damage accident in the 3000 block of South Range Road in Toto.
12/03/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported to the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. It happened several hours earlier on U.S. 35 south of the Bass Lake Fire Station.
12/03/15 – An officer from the Hamlet Police Department responded to a vehicle versus pole crash at the intersection of Frost and Cherokee in Koontz Lake.
12/03/15 – Officers responded to a vehicle versus deer crash in the 6800 block of Hickory Drive in Knox.
12/03/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Department and Starke County EMS responded to a vehicle versus pole crash on County Road 210 at Rannells Road in Knox.
12/03/15 – Suspicious activity was reported at a residence in the 5100 block of Driftwood Lane in North Judson. The home’s occupant advised she thought someone was on the property with flashlights but said she believed she had scared them away.
12/04/15 – A Knox resident reported a debit card stolen.
12/04/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 8 west of 700 East in Knox.
12/04/15 – The owner of a building in the 4100 block of North Range Road in Grovertown reported someone is trying to steal items from one of his shops.
12/04/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Hamlet Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch on 600 East at 300 North in Hamlet. The driver was not injured.
12/04/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Bass Lake Fire Department responded to a rollover accident on U.S. 35 at 500 South in Knox. No injuries were reported.
12/05/15 – Trespassers on ATVs were reported on 250 East south of 100 South in Knox. The person who hunts the property advised they have torn it up.
12/05/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 39 between the Yellow River and State Road 8.
12/06/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 4000 block of south 350 West in North Judson.
12/06/15 – A resident in the 1400 block of west 400 S. in North Judson advised he heard a loud bang outside, went out to investigate, and found his mailbox full of mail at the edge of the road across the street.
12/06/15 – A man from Fulton, Ind. advised he was battered the previous night at the Chesapeake Run Golf Course in North Judson and his eyes are now swollen shut.
12/06/15 – A resident in the 4500 block of South 100 East in Knox advised his mailbox was removed from the ground sometime Friday night.
12/06/15 – A resident in the 4500 block of South State Road 39 in North Judson reported vehicles belonging to her husband and herself were ransacked.
12/06/15 – A hunter in the 3200 block of 800 in San Pierre advised he saw a car stop and someone fired a shot before leaving.
12/07/15 – A resident in the 4000 block of S. 625 E in Knox came to the sheriff’s office to file a theft report.
12/07/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 3700 block of S. U.S. 35 in Knox.
12/07/15 – A trolley motor was reported stolen by a resident in the 300 block of S. 700 E. in Knox.
12/07/-15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and Bass Lake Fire Department responded to a property damage accident in the 4300 block of East CR 210 in Knox. The caller advised a cement mixer took down power lines, and they are in the road.
12/07/15 – A resident in the 300 block of East Toto Road reported the theft of a bike from her gazebo.
12/07/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 100 block of West Toto Road.
12/08/15 – A property damage accident was reported in the 3000 block of State Road 10 in Knox. The driver reportedly hit two mailboxes.
12/08/15 – A resident in the 300 block of East Toto Road in Knox reported the theft of a television.
12/09/15 – A DCS employee reported a caseworker was threatened by a resident in the 1000 E block of 700 S in North Judson the previous day.
12/09/15 – A resident in the 6800 block of East Toto Road advised his shed was broken into.
12/09/15 – Possible drug activity was reported in a barn in the 3300 block of South 200 East in Knox.
12/09/15 – A vehicle versus dog accident was reported on State Road 8 at 700 East in Knox.
12/09/15 – Officers responded to a single-vehicle property damage accident on 750 E. at 850 S. in Knox.
12/09/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Hamlet Fire Department and Starke County EMS responded to a report of a pickup truck partially in a ditch on Range Road north of 400 N. in Knox.
12/10/15 – Officers responded to a report of possible drug activity at Oregon-Davis High School.
12/10/15 – A residential break-in was reported in the 5100 block of Driftwood Lane in North Judson.
12/10/15 – A residential break-in was reported in the 1500 block of East 500 South in Knox.
12/10/15 – A vehicle versus deer property damage accident was reported on 900 South east of U.S. 35 in Knox.
12/10/15 – A vehicle versus deer property damage accident was reported on State Road 10 at 100 West in North Judson.
12/10/15 – Officers were called back to a residence in the 1500 block of East 500 S. in Knox where an earlier break-in was reported. The caller advised people are coming back through the woods to get items they set outside earlier.
12/10/15 – A resident it the 3200 block of North 100 East in Knox reported his residence was broken into and firearms and checkbooks were taken.
12/10/15 – A resident in the 5000 block of east 200 South in Knox reported being threatened by a neighbor.
12/11/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on U.S. 30 Eastbound across from the Grovertown Truck Stop.
12/11/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 8 at 700 East in Knox.
12/11/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on 150 South east of Range Road.
12/11/15 – Officers responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident in the 5000 block of east 200 South in Knox.
12/12/15 – A resident in the 6800 block of Hickory Drive in Knox reported spray paint vandalism to the vehicles parked in their driveway and to their house.
12/12/15 – A resident in the 4200 block of south 650 West in North Judson reported shots fired and bouncing off the metal around her property. She advised there are children inside the home.
12/12/15 – Sheriff’s Deputies, First Responders and Starke County EMS responded to a two-vehicle property damage accident at the intersection of State Road 8 and 1200 East in Knox.
12/12/15 – A resident in the 4000 block of south 100 East in Knox reported a theft.
12/12/15 – An injury crash was reported at the intersection of Clark and Fisher Streets in Knox.
12/14/15 – A resident in the 6600 block of East Toto Road reported a person known to him came to his residence and damaged his vehicle.
12/14/15 – The owner of property in the 1700 block of East State Road 8 in Knox advised a black Dodge Ram is driving around in her field getting stuck and leaving large ruts.
12/14/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on Toto Road at 750 West in San Pierre.
12/14/15 – A resident in the 7700 block of North State Road 23 in Walkerton reported the theft of items from the residence.
12/14/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office and North Judson Police Department responded to a report of a burglary in progress in the 1500 block of East 500 South.
12/15/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported on State Road 10 east of Bailey’s.
12/15/15 – A two-vehicle property damage accident was reported at the intersection of Toto and Range Roads in Knox.
12/15/15 – The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County EMS and North Judson Fire Department first responders all responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch on Toto Road between 350 and 400 West in North Judson.
12/15/15 – A resident in the 2500 block of east 100 South in Knox reported his vehicle was broken into sometime in the past three days.
12/15/15 – A resident in the 8000 block of North State Road 23 in Walkerton reported property damage.
12/15/15 – The owner of a semi parked in the 2500 block of East 100 South in Knox reported it was broken into and items were taken.
12/15/15 – A resident in the 1600 block of east 400 South in Knox reported a known suspect took his television set.
12/16/15 – Norfolk Southern advised glass on the crossing lights at 1000 East and 250 South have been shot out.
12/16/15 – A vehicle versus deer crash was reported in the 9700 block of west 400 South in San Pierre.
12/16/15 – A resident in the 5300 block of Detroiter Lane in North Judson reported an attempted vehicle break-in and advised the suspect ran north on Detroiter Lane.
Arrests:
Inclusion in the arrest reports is merely a record an arrest was made and is not indicative of guilt or innocence. All defendants are presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.
12/03/15 – Thomas D. Skibbe, 43, Pendelton – Possession of marijuana and unlawful possession of a syringe.
12/04/15 – Christopher Shawn Reed, 35, Knox – Possession or sale of precursors and maintaining a common nuisance.
12/05/15 – Aaron Ray Wireman, 30, Knox – Visiting a common nuisance.
12/05/15 – Steven P. Pastrorcik, 33, Knox – Maintaining a common nuisance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.
12/05/15 – Felicia L. Hill, 28, Culver – Possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and assisting a criminal.
12/05/15 – Deborah Lynn Trusty, 44, Evansville – Possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, visiting a common nuisance and assisting a criminal.
12/05/15 0 David Micheal Pastorcik, 18, Knox – Visiting a common nuisance, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.
12/05/15 – Shawn Nathaniel Centers, 40, Knox – Possession of methamphetamine, visiting a common nuisance, possession of paraphernalia and assisting a criminal.
12/11/15 – Shayne Beem, 22, Walkerton – Resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.
12/12/15 – Timothy James Zachary, 20, North Judson – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage, failure to stop after an accident, operating while intoxicated.
12/12/15 – Zackery Gerald Bailey, 18, Walkerton – Illegal consumption of an alcoholic beverage.
A LaPorte man suspected of being involved in a Sunday hit-and-run crash faces several charges in Starke County. Officers from the Walkerton Police Department notified Starke County Dispatch a possibly intoxicated hit-and-run driver had struck a utility pole and kept going.
A short time later they got a report of the suspect’s car driving eastbound in the westbound lane. A Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped the car driven by 48-year-old David Armstrong after a brief pursuit, according to the incident report. He registered .27 on a preliminary blood draw. That’s more than three times the presumed level of intoxication.
Armstrong was lodged in the Starke County Jail on preliminary charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated prior, reckless driving, obstruction of traffic with use of a vehicle and resisting law enforcement.
A Sunday afternoon traffic stop for speeding on U.S. 30 in Starke County ended with a trip to jail for a Huntington County man.
A Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled a vehicle driven by 24-year-old Jossue Estrada Ugalde of Warren, Ind. over for speeding just east of County Road 500 East around 2:45 p.m., according to a sheriff’s office news release.
Ugalde agreed to a search of his vehicle, during which the deputy reportedly found a white plastic bag tied in a knot that contained a hard substance. It field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to county officials. The total weight of the drugs was approximately 10 grams.
Uglade faces a Level 4 felony possession of methamphetamine charge and a charge of operator never licensed. He was also cited for driving 89 in a 55 mile-per-hour zone.
A Knox man who tried to flee from a Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy late Monday night didn’t get very far, thanks to the newest member of the department. Det. Sgt. Adam Gray and K9 Zardoz responded to the area of U.S. 30 north of U.S. 35 around 11:30 p.m. and quickly tracked down 33-year-old Earl W. Beem of Knox.
He was a passenger in a car that had been pulled over, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Beem fled as the vehicle stopped. He was arrested on a felony parole warrant and also faces a resisting law enforcement charge. Beem is jailed without bond.
The driver, 31-year-old Jeffery K. Manns of North Judson, was arrested for false informing and traffic related offenses. He has since bonded out of jail.
The Knox Police Department and Indiana State Police arrested with the investigation.
A Knox man was airlifted to a South Bend hospital after being struck by a car last night in front of the BP Station on U.S. 35. Knox Police Chief Harold Smith says the crash happened just after 7:30 p.m.
The victim, 63-year-old Wilgus Terry of Knox, was initially taken via ambulance to IU Health Starke Hospital before being flown to South Bend with what are described as critical injuries. A hospital spokeswoman tells WKVI news he’s in stable condition.
He was struck by a southbound vehicle driven by 44-year-old George Felty of Knox. The crash is still under investigation.
Starke County EMS, the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox Fire Department assisted with the response.
Travis Clary and Candice Austin show off the pet oxygen masks Starke County EMS recently obtained through a grant.
Starke County EMS ambulances are now equipped to help the county’s four-legged law enforcement officers as well as civilian animals. The county ambulance service recently got a grant from Invisible Fence for free pet oxygen masks.
Starke County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Terror and handler Det. Sgt. Rob Olejniczakm Sheriff Bill Dulin and the left, Sheriff Dulin and K-9 Zardoz and handler Det. Sgt. Adam Gray.
EMS Director Keith Emigh, Assistant Director Travis Clary and Starke County K-9 Officers Rob Olejniczak and Adam Gray have been working together to help EMT’s and paramedics become more prepared for an incident involving the police dogs.
Paramedics recently volunteered their time to take a class from Dr. Lisa Booth of Vale Park Animal Hospital in Valparaiso. She runs the nonprofit organization “Kits for K-9’s” and provides special first aid medical kits to local K-9 officers. Booth donated kits to both the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and North Judson Police Department.
Starke County EMS officials also made individual cards for each county K-9 officer that will be placed in each ambulance in case of emergency. Each lists the dog’s weight and life-saving medications that can be administered. Clary says Starke County EMS also learned they can transport a wounded K-9 in an emergency situation to the nearest 24-hour emergency vet at Purdue North Central in Westville.
Legal restrictions prohibit the transportation of non-law enforcement pets. However, the pet oxygen masks on the ambulances can be used to provide supplemental oxygen to civilian animals in need after, for instance, being rescued from a house fire. Each truck is equipped with small, medium and large masks.
A Plymouth man faces a pair of felony offenses in Starke County following the recent robbery and beating of an elderly Knox man. An officer from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office was called to the IU Health Starke Hospital emergency room Wednesday, Oct. 7 after Sisco Wireman was brought in after an apparent assault. The people who drove him to the hospital said a fight had taken place at a home in the 100 block of East 500 South.
