Two women were taken to jail today after getting caught allegedly stealing catalytic converters from disabled vehicles along Indianapolis area interstates.

At 6:37 a.m. Indiana State Police Dispatchers received information from INDOT‘s Traffic Management Dispatchers, who were monitoring traffic cameras, about suspicious activity around a vehicle on the shoulder of I-70 westbound near the 78.7-mile marker.

Trooper Brandon Alberts responded to the call and when he arrived he found two vehicles on the side of the road.

When Alberts questioned the two women present with the vehicles he determined they were together in one of the vehicles and one vehicle had been abandoned by someone unknown to the women.

Subsequently Master Trooper Justin Hobbs, who arrived on scene to assist, observed two catalytic converters in the back of a Jeep Commander that the two women were occupying. Alberts also found a reciprocating saw on the ground on the passenger side of the abandoned vehicle. The investigation led to both women being taken into custody and arrested for theft. Troopers located two other vehicles in close proximity that had been abandoned along I-70, both of those vehicles had the catalytic converter cut off. Troopers were able to match the two catalytic converters that were located in the back seat of the Jeep to the two other abandoned vehicles. 

27 year old Elizabeth Smith of Indianapolis and 28 year old Farrah Carpenter of Indianapolis were both arrested and preliminarily charged with Theft, a level 5 felony (Valuable Metal – 3 counts, 1 attempted), and Criminal Mischief, a B misdemeanor (3 counts, 1 attempted)

The theft of catalytic converters from abandoned vehicles along central Indiana interstates is not uncommon. We would like to remind motorists to only leave your vehicle abandoned if absolutely necessary and return to get it as soon as possible.

Motorists are encouraged to report suspicious activity around disabled for abandoned vehicles to police.

Rarely do roadside repairs involve the use of any type of saw, if you see someone with a saw approaching a disabled or abandoned vehicle please get a description of the person or vehicle they are driving and report it to police.

All crimes mentioned in this release are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

The charges listed are merely accusations and probable cause for arrest, actual charges will be determined by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office upon review of the case. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for State Road 45 in Bedford in advance of a paving project.

Beginning on or around Monday, March 15, contractors will begin restricting traffic on S.R. 450 between U.S 50 and S.R. 37 as they start prep work for a resurfacing project.

This phase of the operation includes removing road reflectors during daytime hours. The asphalt resurfaces a portion of the project is slated to begin at the end of March.

During the project, one lane will be closed, and one 11-foot lane will remain open. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Loads wider than 11-feet should seek an alternate route using the closest numbered state, U.S. or interstate routes. Depending upon weather conditions, the entire project, including the resurface, is expected to be complete by the end of June.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for U.S. 150 near French Lick for tree clearing in advance of a bridge replacement project.

Beginning on or around Monday, March 15, contractors will begin restricting traffic to one lane during the daytime hours as they clear trees near the U.S. 150 bridge spanning Kanie Creek, about 1.6 miles west of the intersection of S.R. 56.

The structure replacement on the bridge is scheduled for later this spring and an announcement will be forthcoming with precise dates.

During the tree clearing operation, crews will be using the closed lane for heavy equipment due to weather conditions.

This will create short intermittent periods where the road will be completely closed while crews work to cut the removed debris into manageable pieces.

Work will only take place during the daytime hours and evening travel will be unrestricted.

Work is expected to last until the end of March, depending upon weather conditions. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

A 32-Year-Old Charlestown woman was arrested for dealing in methamphetamine and other drug-related charges after troopers and officers from the Charlestown Police Department searched her residence.  

As a result of the investigation and subsequent search, Kayla S. Gabbard was arrested for the following: 

1. Dealing Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony   
2. Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony                                 
3. Maintaining a Common Nuisance- Level 6 Felony 
4. Possession of Controlled Substance- Class A Misdemeanor
5. Possession of Marijuana- Class B Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Paraphernalia- Class A Misdemeanor                                 

Kayla Gabbard was incarcerated at the Clark County Jail without incident. 

Trooper Zach Smith, with the Sellersburg Post All Crimes Policing Squad (ACP), began an investigation in February of this year when he and Charlestown Police units learned of possible drug activity at 202 Reynolds Street in Charlestown.

As a result of the investigation, Trooper Smith requested a search warrant for the property.

On Friday, the Sellersburg Post ACP team and officers with the Charlestown Police Department served the warrant and located approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine, pills, marijuana, and other drug-related items on the premises.

A lengthy investigation conducted by Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section (DES) detectives and Troopers of the ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. concluded with an arrest for dealing methamphetamine and almost ½ pound of methamphetamine seized.

The Indiana State Police had obtained information that Darrell Cox, 56, Taswell was dealing large amounts of methamphetamine in multiple counties, including Lawrence County. Using a wide range of investigative techniques, ISP was able to confirm the allegations.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, March 13th, Cox was located driving his 2006 Chevrolet truck southbound on SR 37, south of Ingram Road, in excess of the posted speed limit. Trp. Chance Humphrey, Trp. Cody Brown, ISP Sgt. Greg Day, LCPD Officer Michael Williams, and DES detectives were all in the area observing for Cox. Trp. Humphrey conducted a traffic stop and, after observing indicators of criminal activity, was assisted by the other officers.

Officer Williams deployed his canine, Flek, who gave a positive alert on Cox’s truck. A subsequent search of the truck resulted in discovering that Cox was in possession of over 200 grams of methamphetamine (7 ounces), approximately 2 grams of cocaine, and multiple controlled substance pills.

At the conclusion of the investigation, Cox was incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail for the following offenses:

1. Dealing Methamphetamine Over 10 Grams, Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine Over 28 Grams, Level 3 Felony
3. Possession of Cocaine, Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of Controlled Substance (Two Counts), Class A Misdemeanor
5. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Trp. Caleb Garvin with the Bloomington District A.C.E.S. had also assisted with the investigation. 

Sgt. Day commended everyone for a job well done and was thankful for the seamless working between agencies. 

“Dozens of behind-the-scenes investigation hours culminated in a successful and safe conclusion to this case. 

Multiple counties are safer today thanks to this arrest of this large-scale methamphetamine dealer.”

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.

Troopers with the Sellersburg Post All Crimes Policing Squad (ACP) arrested a Floyds Knobs couple on multiple drug-related charges Friday morning.  

As a result of the investigation, Troopers arrested the following: 

Joshua Mitchell Croft, 44, Floyds Knobs: 

1. Neglect of a Dependent x 2- Level 6 Felony
2. Manufacturing Methamphetamine- Level 4 Felony
3. Dealing in Methamphetamine- Level 2 Felony
4. Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 4 Felony
5. Possession of Drug Precursors- Level 6 Felony
6. Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon- Level 5 Felony
7. Possession of a Firearm with an altered serial number- Level 5 Felony
8. Dealing in Marijuana Prior- Level 6 Felony
9. Possession of Marijuana Prior- Level 6 Felony
10. Maintaining a Common Nuisance- Level 6 Felony
11. Possession of Paraphernalia- Class A Misdemeanor

April Louise Gibson, 32, Floyds Knobs: 

1. Neglect of a Dependent x 2- Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine- Level 6 Felony
3. Maintaining a Common Nuisance- Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of Paraphernalia- Class B Misdemeanor

Both Croft and Gibson were incarcerated at the Floyd County Jail without further incident.  

Trooper Brandon Farias began an investigation in February after learning about possible drug activity at the residence located at 5009 East Shoreline Drive in Floyds Knobs.

Troopers used information gathered in that investigation and requested a search warrant for the home.

On Friday, the ACP team and Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement officers served the warrant.  

During the search, troopers located an AR-style pistol with an obliterated serial number, a red-phosphorus methamphetamine lab, approximately 16 grams of methamphetamine, other controlled substances, and about 2.85 pounds of marijuana. Troopers also learned that children resided in the house.  

Earlier today, Indiana State Police and the US Marshal Fugitive Task Force arrested a 26-year-old Florida father after allegedly kidnapping his four-year-old son from a Florida daycare in December 2020 and then fleeing the state.

The father, Andres Cantu, 26, of Mount, FL had a nation-wide extradition warrant for Kidnapping.

The Indiana State Police and US Marshal Fugitive Task Force received information this morning that Cantu was possibly in Bicknell with his son.

Troopers and members of the US Marshal Fugitive Task Force conducted a surveillance operation on a residence located at 715 Maple Street in Bicknell and observed an adult female in the backyard with the missing boy.

Cantu was not located at the residence, but the child was taken into protective custody. Officers moved their surveillance operation to another residence located on Third Street in Bicknell where Cantu was located and arrested without incident.

Cantu was taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

The Indiana Department of Child Services took custody of the child and is waiting for arrangements to reunite the child with his mother.

A threat made on Friday evening, March 4th, 2021 to the life of Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock and the Washington County Justice Center led to the arrest of Dalton Morris, 26, of Salem. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, the investigation began at approximately 7:33 pm, when Washington County Dispatch received a report of a threat made to law enforcement and to the Circuit Court Judge. 

A court security officer contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the threat and stated he wanted to speak with Sheriff Brent Miller.  

Upon speaking to the officer, Sheriff Miller contacted Detective Brad Naugle to report the threat and commence an investigation. 

The security officer advised Miller that two witnesses came to his home earlier in the evening and stated they were with Morris when he told them he was going to kill Judge Medlock and other individuals at the Washington County Justice Center. 

The witnesses reported Morris also more broadly stated he was going to go to the Justice Center with guns and start shooting. 

Detective Naugle contacted the witnesses and conducted an interview.  Both shared the same information with Naugle that they shared with the court security officer. 

They also stated that while they were with Dalton, he became angry while talking about his court cases and made statements that he felt he had been treated unfairly by Judge Medlock. 

They reported Dalton then said he was going to go to the Justice Center and start shooting everyone, and that he intended to kill the Judge. 

One witness stated Morris looked directly at him and said, “I don’t care who is there,” and the witness felt Morris was making a direct threat to him. 

Both witnesses also reported Dalton Morris made a statement that if he were to get pulled over, the police should start shooting because he will be shooting at the police. 

They also told police Dalton frequently drives his girlfriend, Miranda Smith’s, blue Subaru Forrester. 

After confirming the threat through direct contact with the witnesses, police began a search for Morris and located a blue Subaru Forrester in the parking lot at the Cobblestone Hotel in Salem, Indiana.   

The vehicle was registered to Miranda Smith.  Inside the vehicle, officers could see a firearm in plain view.

Police then located and interviewed Morris at the hotel.  During the interview, he denied making any threats but did state he has been treated unfairly by Judge Medlock. 

Investigators noted when Morris talked about his court cases, it appeared to make him angry. 

Morris at first denied any knowledge of having a weapon, then later told police he knew a firearm was in the car and described it to police. 

A search warrant was issued for the hotel room and the vehicle and upon searching, police found one round of ammunition in the room.

Morris at first denied knowledge of the ammunition, then later admitted to police he knew it was there. 

At that time, Morris was placed under arrest for the charge of Intimidation, a Level 5 Felony.  

Morris remains incarcerated and is being held on an $8,000 full cash bond.  

His next court hearing is scheduled for April 5^th, 2021 in Harrison County Circuit Court. 

Suspects are considered innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law. 

This morning, at approximately 6:00 am, a Jackson County Deputy’s police SUV was struck by a pickup truck on I-65 Northbound near Crothersville while the deputy was blocking traffic for a tow company that was removing a vehicle from an earlier crash. 

The initial investigation by Trooper David Owsley, Indiana State Police-Versailles, indicated a Jackson County Sheriff’s Department 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe being occupied by Deputy Jordan Hawn, was parked in the right lane of I-65 Northbound near the 37.5-mile marker, near Crothersville, Indiana. 

Deputy Hawn’s vehicle was blocking the right lane of I-65 while a wrecker company was removing a commercial motor vehicle that was involved in a crash earlier in the morning.

Deputy Hawn’s vehicle was then struck from behind by a blue 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, being driven by Evan Elkins, age 25, Louisville, Kentucky. 

The vehicle came to a stop in the right lane of I-65 Northbound.  Elkins’ vehicle entered the median of I-65 and came to a stop. 

Neither Hawn nor Elkins were injured in the collision.

The right lane of I-65 Northbound was closed for most of the morning for crash cleanup and investigation.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected in the crash.  The investigation is ongoing.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

The Indiana State Police would like to remind everyone that Indiana law requires motorists to yield to emergency vehicles that have emergency lights activated. 

This law also requires motorists to change lanes or slow for an ambulance, fire trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, and tow trucks.