Yesterday, a 46-year-old Dearborn County, Indiana man was officially charged with attempted murder as a result of an investigation by Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post following an incident that occurred around 12:30 pm on Wednesday, November 19^th.

Troopers from the ISP-Versailles Post, along with Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, originally responded to a crash on US 421 near Michigan Road in northern Jefferson County where the driver of a blue 1991 Chevrolet truck left the scene of the crash in the vehicle. 

The investigation of the crash indicated that the driver of the truck, later identified as Larry W. Webster II, age 46, Aurora, IN, rear ended a second vehicle while traveling northbound on US 421.  After the other driver exited his vehicle, Webster allegedly intentionally struck the vehicle a second time and also struck the other driver, who was standing next to the vehicle.  Webster then left the scene in the vehicle.  The driver of the second vehicle was injured and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Responding officers soon located Webster’s vehicle abandoned on Old Michigan Road in southern Ripley County.  Webster was located walking nearby.  While taking Webster into custody, an altercation occurred, causing an Indiana State Trooper to sustain injuries.  The injured trooper was treated and released from a nearby hospital.

Webster was transported to Norton King’s Daughters Hospital in Madison, Indiana before being transferred to a second hospital for additional evaluation and treatment.  He was later released from the hospital and incarcerated in the Jefferson County Jail.

After a review of the investigation by the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, a charged of Attempted Murder was officially filed in the Jefferson County Circuit Court yesterday.  Webster will soon face an initial appearance in court.

Additional charges may be forthcoming in this case.

Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Osgood Town Marshal, Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office, and Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office.

More than 100 members of the public and emergency personnel showed up Saturday morning to help search for 43-year-old Robert Bragman of Salem (and formerly of Bloomington), who was reported missing since Monday morning.

Salem Police Chief Eric Mills told those gathered that there have been searches conducted with horses on the ground, police K-9s, boats, underwater robots and drones. 

“Since he’s been reported missing, we’ve been out searching for Mr. Bragman,” said Mills. “We’ve had numerous agencies assisting in this — Indiana State Police, Conservation Department, Washington and Floyd County Emergency Management Agencies, Coast Guard, and the Southern Indiana Search and Rescue.”

Assistant Fire Chief Max Gamble, who was helping to coordinate Saturday’s search said the group was using an app to help set grids and track what areas around Salem has been searched. 

“We’ve covered a large area around his residence,” said Gamble. “We’re pretty confident we can move on from that area. We received some new information last night and will be looking in another area.”

Gamble said he was last seen wearing a gray/khaki/red tshirt, blue scrub pants, a brown jacket and a black backpack and potentially not have any shoes on. 

He was last seen around the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge on South Main Street around 10am on Monday morning. 

Gamble said they did not believe there was anything criminal about Bragman’s disappearance. 

Volunteers were paired with emergency service personnel, who were equipped with radios to communicate with the rest of the group.

“We’ve been out for the past 2-3 days with search times, drones, horses,” said Gamble. “We’re moving that search area from around his residence back into town.”

Gamble said teams would be checking water features — creeks, streams and portions of the walking trail. 

“We’ve already checked locations where Mr. Bragman has been known to frequent,” he said. “Those businesses and locations have been identified and they will call us if he were to show up.” 

Local businesses provided food for volunteers and the Salvation Army brought a truck up with snacks and beverages. 

Gamble stressed that anyone wanting to volunteer throughout the day should check in and register at the 4H Building, where staff would be through the day. 

“That way we know who’s out in the area,” he said. “Also, we need to be very respectful of private property. We don’t want searchers out on private property without permission. We currently have a good working relationship with property owners and we don’t want anything to inhibit that.” 

Anyone out searching that finds anything they believe to be evidence, should immediately contact their team leader so authorities can assess the information and bring in the appropriate response team. 

An ambulance is also on hand during today’s search in case Bragman would need emergency medical attention. 

The City of Salem Police Department has been engaged in a weeklong search for Robert Alan Bragman, 43, Salem, who has been missing since this past Sunday. 

Saturday, the Indiana United Search and Rescue Team, a group from New Albany, in cooperation with SPD and Bragman’s family, will conduct an organized search effort. 

According to Police Chief Eric Mills, volunteers wishing to assist in the search are asked to register at the Washington County Fairgrounds prior to deployment at 10am.

Participants should wear appropriate outdoor clothing, including bright or high-visibility colors, to ensure safety during search operations.