TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Aug. 25) – Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 254 people on 305 charges at Scheid Diesel Extravaganza in Terre Haute this weekend.
Excise officers arrested 105 people for underage possession or consumption of alcohol, including 21 juveniles less than 18 years of age. Five of them were also charged with false informing and one with being in a liquor store.
Twelve adults were arrested for furnishing or providing alcohol to a minor. Three people were arrested for operating while intoxicated. Five people were also arrested on drug charges.
Several people were arrested for criminal recklessness after they were observed power braking in large crowds of people in store parking lots along U.S. 41. In each case, the trucks swayed in the rear while holding occupants in the truck beds, in addition to there being numerous pedestrians immediately next to the trucks. One of them was also charged with operating while intoxicated.
Other people were arrested or cited on 162 additional charges, including excessive exhaust or smoke, open container violation, seat belt violation and various other traffic offenses.
Twelve juveniles were cited for possession of tobacco.
Party Cask Beverage Center, 910 S. Third Street, was cited for sale of alcohol to a minor and allowing a minor to loiter after officers observed an underage male walking out of the store with a case of beer. The ID he used at the store had another person’s photograph on it and a height of 5’6”, when he was actually 6’1”.
“The goal of the state excise police is to ensure the safety of the patrons of this event and others around the state,” said Superintendent Matt Strittmatter after working with excise officers on Friday and Saturday. “In order to achieve that goal, we must continue our efforts to make certain that alcohol is consumed responsibly and lawfully.”
As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcing Indiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
