On 7/02/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Eric M. Swanson, age 35, for Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer and Aggravated Intimidation following an incident at a residence in the 1200 block of Parrish Street. The arrest was a result of an incident on 7/01/23 where police were called to the scene by the resident who requested officer assistance with Swanson due to him destroying the residence. Upon arrival, officers spoke to other individuals present who reported that Swanson was under the influence of DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) which is known as a psychedelic drug. Officers attempted to make contact with Swanson inside the home and found that his actions had caused several injuries to himself. Swanson made numerous threats towards the officers but officers were eventually able to secure Swanson for treatment from Wabash General Ambulance Service. While this occurred, Swanson grabbed a hold of an MCPD officer and caused significant injury to the officer’s left hand. Swanson was eventually transported to the hospital for treatment of his self-inflected injuries. The injured officer also required medical treatment and is currently unable to work due to these injuries. It should be noted that Swanson’s threats towards the officers also included statements of causing harm to their families. Swanson was later arrested on these charges the following day and is being held pending a bond setting by a judge. Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Carmel Fire Department first responders and the Wabash General Ambulance Service.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY MURDER
ROBINSON – The Illinois State Police announce the arrest of 24-year-old Lance T. Newcomb from Robinson, IL, for one count of First-Degree Murder (Class M Felony).
On June 8, 2023, the Illinois State Police (ISP), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 was requested by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department to investigate a missing person, 55-year-old Ryan L. Waggoner from Lerna, IL.
On June 27, 2023, the investigation led DCI agents to a rural address in Crawford County where human remains were located. Three individuals were arrested for concealment of a homicidal death which included Newcomb.
On July 6, 2023, the remains were positively identified as Ryan L. Waggoner. The Cumberland County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Lance T. Newcomb with one count of First-Degree Murder. Newcomb is currently in custody at the Crawford County Jail. No further information is available.
Driving Recklessly Leads To Warrant Arrest
On 6/30/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Emily J. Lofton, age 35, on a Lawrence County FTA warrant for her arrest in the 500 block of N Walnut. Police had received a report regarding a white Nissan driving recklessly in the area of 6th & Poplar. An officer arrived to the area and ultimately found the suspect vehicle parked in the 500 block of N Walnut. The officer also learned the suspect driver was Lofton and that she had a warrant for her arrest. Lofton was located in one of the businesses at this location where she was taken into custody without incident. Lofton was transported to the Wabash County Jail, issued the warrant, and held pending extradition back to Lawrence County.
Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested Following Traffic Stop On Bicycle
On 6/28/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Amber N. Smith, age 41, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe following a traffic stop on a bicycle in the area of 6th & Walnut Street for an ordinance violation. During the stop, officers located a hypodermic syringe and needle in a black bag on the bicycle following a consent to search her belongings. Smith claimed to be a diabetic; however, liquid inside the needle tested positive for methamphetamine. Smith was processed and released on a Notice to Appear.
Alleged Scooter Thief Jailed
On 6/28/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kevin K. Yokel, age 42, of Mt. Carmel for Felony Theft following a theft of a handicap accessible scooter. Police were called to a residence in the 300 block of W 3rd Street regarding a theft of the scooter that belongs to a disabled resident from the home. Yokel, had a prior relationship with another resident from the home and was suspected of stealing the scooter. As police investigated the complaint further, they located the scooter covered with a tarp in the back yard of a residence in the 100 block of W 2nd Street. The resident of this address admitted the above defendant was staying with him there but he was not home. Officers later located Yokel where he admitted to taking the scooter and a battery from the residence in question, stating the scooter was a gift. Yokel was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Report Of Domestic Incident Leads To Multiple Charges For Mt. Carmel Man
On 7/5/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Clayton S. Kirkman, age 35, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery, Failure to Return to a Penal Institution and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer. Police were called to a residence in the 500 block of W 1st Street regarding a possible domestic incident. The caller stated Kirkman had just caused bodily harm to a family member who had since left the scene. Kirkman later admitted to grabbing ahold of and holding the alleged victim from moving. During the investigation police also learned that Kirkman had left a court ordered rehabilitation facility unsuccessfully and failed to report back to the Wabash County Jail, as ordered. Officers from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office and the Mt. Carmel Police Department made contact with Kirkman and advised him he would be arrested on the above charges. Kirkman resisted the arrest but was ultimately taken into custody. Kirkman was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he has been charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Weapons Charge
On 6/27/23, Mt. Carmel Police recovered a loaded 20-gauge shotgun from the residence of Kerry L. Keepes, age 63, of Mt. Carmel while assisting the Department of Children & Family Services at his residence in the 700 block of W 6th Street. Officers discovered Keepes was a convicted felon and cannot lawfully possess a firearm. On 6/29/23, a Wabash County Warrant for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Felon was issued for Keepes. Officers from the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office then attempted to locate Keepes. A WCSO deputy located Keepes in the 500 block of N Walnut Street where he was taken into custody. Keepes was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held on a $2000 cash bond.
Hazleton man arrested on multiple charges
On June 30, 2023, at 10:57 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a Breaking and Entering in Progress at 110 North Main Street in Hazleton, Indiana. Upon arriving deputies surrounding a perimeter around the building after discovering fresh signs that someone had forced their way into the building. Once enough officer arrived on scene entry was made into the building 43 year old Joshua Flusche of Hazleton was located with three juveniles. After a brief investigation Mr. Flusche was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Criminal Mischief. He remains in custody on a $3,000 bond.
Arresting Officer was Deputy Wyatt Hunt.
Assisting Officers were Sgt. John Fischer, Sgt. Loren Barchett, Deputy Logan Lashbrook, Deputy Quinten Might, and Conservation Officer Ryan Mcintyre.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Motor vehicle accident leads to arrest of Grayville man on multiple charges
On July 2, 2023, at 7:23 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a hit and run accident at the intersection of Tretter Park Drive and North Hull Street in Fort Branch. Upon arriving on scene Deputy Quinten Might spoke with the driver of a Black 2005 Ford Explorer who was struck by a motorized bicycle. The driver advised Deputy Might that the driver of the motorized bike ran a stop sign and struck him. The driver and witnesses on scene identified the driver of the motorized bicycle as 30 year old Jacob Wilkinson of Grayville, Illinois. Upon locating Mr. Wilkinson in the area a brief foot pursuit ensued. At the end of Deputy Might’s investigation Mr. Wilkinson was located and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Leaving The Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, and Resisting Law Enforcement. He remains in custody on a $1500 bond.
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Deputy Michael Owens, Owensville Officer Jason Wright, and Haubstadt Officer Bryan Munnier.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic accident leads to arrest of Francisco man on DUI charge
On Monday, July 3, 2023, at 12:06 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a motor vehicle accident in the 5000 block of County Road 375 North in rural Francisco. Deputy Bryan Small was dispatched to the scene and upon arriving he found the caller who was sitting with the driver of a Blue Hyundai Sonata that had ran off the roadway and into a ditch. The driver who was identified as 44 year old Richard Hurt of Francisco had obvious signs of intoxication so at that point Deputy Small began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Hurt was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol level over .15. He has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Small in his investigation was Conservation Officer Ryan McIntyre.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
