On 7/29/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Joseph T. Andras, age 20, of Mt. Carmel for Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol by Minor after Andras called 911 to report he was intoxicated and had been arguing with his girlfriend. Andras was unsure of his location, but an officer eventually located him in the 700 block of W 3rd Street. While speaking to Andras about his issues the officer learned he was under the age of 21. Andras was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed and later released on a Notice to Appear.
Indiana Man Picked Up On DUI Charge By MCPD
On 7/27/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Anthony A. Smith, age 43, of Branchville, Indiana for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage and Operating Uninsured Vehicle following a traffic stop on a 2006 Honda van in the 900 block of N Market Street. Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed the van commit multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Upon making contact with the above subject, the officer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage as well as several behaviors that is indicative of alcohol consumption. The officer requested the driver submitted to a roadside sobriety check of which the Smith consented. During the check, the officer observed several clues to indicate alcohol impairment resulting in Smith being placed under arrest. Smith was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI and later turned over to jail staff for further processing. Smith was held pending the posting of bond.
Indiana State Police Warn of Scam
Jasper and Evansville, IN – Indiana State Police are warning Hoosiers of an asphalt scam in the Southern Indiana area.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, July 26th, a Bloomfield resident contacted the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and reported that three men representing themselves as an asphalt company offered to reseal a driveway. While two of the individuals distracted the victim, the third man entered the residence and stole money and valuables.
The victim stated the three subjects were observed in a white four-door F-150 pickup truck with a red 4x4 emblem. The males were described as possibly white, two of them with a darker tanned appearance, and one as tall wearing a high-visible orange shirt.
If any subjects approach Hoosier homeowners in the above-described method or if a vehicle matching the description of the one shown below is observed, please immediately contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post (812-332-4411), Indiana State Police Jasper Post (812-482-1441), Indiana State Police Evansville Post (812-867-2079) or any local law enforcement agency.
McWilliams: Major Drug Bust Result Of Multi-Year Investigation
A July 17th arrest of a Mt. Carmel woman was the result of a multi-year investigation. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Police Chief Mike McWilliams touched on the arrest of 45 year old Tara Day Jones after a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 1000 block of Pear Street…..
Jones faces a Class X felony of meth delivery between 15 and 100 grams. She’s being held on a $50,000 cash bond and is due in court August 14th for a preliminary hearing.
First Responders Review July 1st Storm
Local first responders met recently to discuss what went right and what can be improved following the July 1st storm. Police Chief Mike McWilliams said the meeting was helpful in preparing for the next event…
City crews are still clearing debris from this month’s storm and say it might be near the end of August before the city works department returns to normal.
Motorcycle Crash Leads to arrest of Gibson County man on multiple charges
On July 28, 2024, at 10:26 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a motorcycle accident near the intersection of County Road 950 West and County Road 750 South. Deputy Jennifer Loesch arrived on scene and found 30 year old Cory Leister of Owensville unconscious and near a 2007 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle. Upon approaching Mr. Leister she was able to get Mr. Leister to wake up, and held him until a Gibson County Medic could arrive. While waiting on the ambulance Deputy Loesch ran Mr. Leister through the National Crime Information Center and Indiana Data And Communication System and discovered that Mr. Leister had an outstanding warrant through Gibson County for Domestic Battery. At that point Deputy Loesch with the assistance of Deputy Jennifer Robb placed Mr. Leister into custody. During an investigation on scene it was discovered that the motorcycle that Mr. Leister was driving was reported stolen. Further Methamphetamines and Marijuana were found on his person. Once Mr. Leister signed a waiver refusing treatment by the medic crew Deputy Loesch transported Mr. Leister to Deaconess Gibson’s Emergency Room to have him medically cleared for intake into the Gibson County Jail. Ultimately Mr. Leister was transported to the jail where he was charged with:
An Outstanding Warrant for Domestic Battery, Resisting Law Enforcement, Theft of Entire Vehicle, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Possession of Marijuana. He remains in custody on a $1500 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
City Taking Action On West 9th Street Properties
City officials are taking action against two properties on West 9th Street that aren’t being mowed. At Monday’s City Council meeting, City Clerk Ryan Turner said the properties in question are the former A T & T Building at 9th and Chestnut and the old Long John Silvers building at 9th and Cedar…
Mayor Joe Judge said owners of both properties and their representatives have been notified multiple times about mowing, which city crews do and then a bill is sent to the owners.
Closing Date Set For 2023 Season At Mt. Carmel City Pool
If you’re looking to cool off at the Mt. Carmel City Pool this summer, you’d better go while you can. Mayor Joe Judge announced at Monday’s City Council meeting that the pool would be closing for the season soon….
Judge said the day after the pool closes, the Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies will hold their annual dog swim on Monday, August 14th.
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM 11 STATES JOIN FORCES TO COMBAT SPEEDING
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police is joining law enforcement agencies from eleven states in National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 5 and 7 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri) on July 26th for this year’s high visibility Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign.
This campaign is an effort to address a continued trend of speeding and hazardous moving violations as contributory cause violations leading to personal injury and fatal crashes. Speeding is involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. Early NHTSA statistical projections for 2022 show 42,759 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes which represents a marginal decrease of 0.3% in traffic deaths when compared to 2021 (42,939 fatalities).
In 2021 there were 5,864 fatal injuries in the Region 5 six-state area with 1,780 (30.35%) being speed related fatalities. Traffic crashes that result in death due to speeding are historically higher during the summer months of June through September.
Speeding can lead to: Greater potential for loss of vehicle control
· Reduced effectiveness of seatbelts and air bags
· Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger
· Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries
· Increased fuel consumption/cost.
“Many people view speeding as less dangerous than impaired or distracted driving,” said ISP Division of Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Chris Owen. “However, data shows speeding continues to be a leading cause of injury and fatal crashes across the country.”
According to the NHTSA, drivers who speed are also more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, such as not wearing a seat belt, drinking and driving, or using a cell phone while driving.
The speed awareness campaign uses High Visibility Enforcement, a proven countermeasure for reinforcing driver compliance with posted speed limits. The campaign combines increased, zero-tolerance enforcement with effective communication on the importance of obeying the speed limit.
For more information, please visit http://trafficsafetymarketing.gov/.
Names Released of Individuals Involved in Officer-Involved Shooting in Terre Haute
Vigo County - Chief Shawn Keene of the Terre Haute Police Department has released that the officers involved in the shooting that occurred on July 25, 2023, on Fruitridge Avenue, are Patrolman David Pounds, five years of service, and Patrolman Adam Neese, four years of service. Both officers are assigned to the Uniform Division.
The deceased male suspect has been positively identified by the Vigo County Coroner’s Office as Christopher W. Fortin, age 34, of Terre Haute, Indiana.
Family has been notified.
This is an active and ongoing Indiana State Police investigation. There is no further information to release at this time. Upon completion of their investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report of the incident to the Vigo County Prosecutor's Office for review.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
*Original Release Below*
Indiana State Police Investigating an Officer-Involved Shooting in Terre Haute
Vigo County - Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post have been requested by Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt to investigate an officer-involved shooting incident that took place on July 25, 2023, at approximately 9:00 a.m., at 1309 Fruitridge Avenue in Terre Haute.
At approximately 7:00 a.m., officers of the Terre Haute Police Department were dispatched to 1309 Fruitridge Avenue in reference to an male suspect in a storage building making verbal threats and pointing a firearm at employees. Upon locating the suspect in a storage building and seeing that the suspect did have a handgun, officers from the Terre Haute Police Department began giving loud verbal commands for the suspect to put down the weapon and exit the building. The suspect did not comply and a perimeter was then established around the storage building.
The Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team and negotiators were then requested to make the scene. Negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect for approximately two hours to no avail. Unexpectedly, the suspect then exited the building on the south side and engaged uniformed officers by pointing a firearm towards them. Two officers gave verbal commands for the suspect to drop the firearm, but the commands were disregarded. Both officers then fired their police-issued weapons at the subject, resulting in the subject being shot.
Medical assistance was immediately rendered at the scene and the suspect was subsequently transported to a local hospital in Terre Haute. However, the suspect, who has not yet been positively identified, succumbed to the injuries. An autopsy has been scheduled by the Vigo County Coroner’s Office.
The two officers from the Terre Haute Police Department involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave, which is customary in officer-involved shootings.
The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives, Don Curtis, Jason Schoffstall, Ryan Winters with the assistance of First Sergeant Brian Maudlin, Sergeant Michael Featherling, CSI Sergeant Brandon Mullen, CSI Sergeant Tim Rader and Sergeant Michael Organ of the Putnamville State Police Post.
This is an active and ongoing Indiana State Police investigation. There is no further information to release at this time. Upon completion of their investigation, Indiana State Police detectives will submit a full report of the incident to the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office for review.