Salem Police chased a vehicle through Salem Saturday afternoon, recovered a stolen firearm but were unable to locate the suspect after the vehicle crashed north of Salem. 

Saturday afternoon, Salem Police officers responded to a suspect who had allegedly stolen a firearm and was driving from Hardinsburg through Salem. 

The vehicle was being followed by the victim of the theft. 

According to police, officers intercepted the vehicle on the Washington County Square and attempted to pull the vehicle over on North Main Street. 

Police said the vehicle would not stop and they continued to follow it on State Road 135 North. 

The chase ended when officers arrived at the scene where the vehicle left the roadway and crashed. 

Police said nobody was in the vehicle when they arrived. 

They searched the area but were unable to locate anyone. 

Police recovered the firearm. 

The incident is still under investigation. No other information was provided by police. 

If anyone has information regarding this case, please contact Officer Tyler Gregory with the Salem Police Department at 812-883-1524. 

The Washington County Law Enforcement community will host its second annual “Cram the Cruiser Food Drive” on Sunday, Dec. 19. The inaugural event, held last year, was an overwhelming success, according to Sheriff Brent Miller.

“We set a goal of cramming one police cruiser with food to help those in need,” said Sheriff Miller. “At the end of the day, there were six cruisers filled with food – the outpouring of support from the community far exceeded what we had hoped for.”

In addition, almost $800 in cash was donated. The food and monetary donations were presented to the Washington County Food Bank to aid in its efforts to assist those facing food insecurity.

The entire community is invited to participate in this year’s “Cram the Cruiser” Food Drive. On Sunday, Dec. 19, from 10:00am – 2:00pm, police cruisers and officers will be located at Walmart and JayC Food Store in Salem to accept donations of non-perishable food items. Cash donations are welcomed as well.

Sponsors of “Cram the Cruiser” include the Salem Walmart and JayC Food Store, City of Salem Police Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

“All of us in the law enforcement community want to invite everyone to participate in this food drive again this year,” said Sheriff Miller. “This is a great example of how great things can be accomplished when we all work together.”

For more information about “Cram the Cruiser,” please contact the sheriff’s department at 812-883-5999.

The Indiana Senate is now accepting applications for the 2022 Senate Page Program, said State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem).

Through the full-day program, students in grades six through 12 can tour Indiana’s Statehouse, listen to debates and help staff with age-appropriate tasks. Students also have the opportunity to meet with their state senator.

“The Senate Page Program is a great way for students to witness debates and votes during the legislative process,” Houchin said. “I always enjoy meeting with local students serving as pages, and I highly encourage young Hoosiers in Senate District 47 to take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Senate Page Program will begin in January and run through early March. Positions fill quickly, so it is important to apply early. Pages are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. They begin their day at 8:30 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:30 p.m. Groups serve together on Wednesdays. Serving as a page is considered an excused absence from school.

For more information or to apply, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/page-program.

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) and Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section concluded another lengthy investigation by making an arrest for dealing methamphetamine.

Over the course of the past few months, ISP received multiple tips and information that Devin A. Smale, 34 years old of Bedford, was involved in dealing large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Lawrence County.

Acting on these tips, ISP launched an investigation that included a plethora of investigative techniques which helped establish probable cause into the dealing allegations. 

Thursday afternoon, around 1:30 pm, an undercover ISP detective observed Smale driving a 2004 Chrysler and committing multiple traffic infractions.

Trooper Chance Humphrey and Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on Smale near the intersection of SR 158 and SR 450.

As Smale was coming to a stop, he was observed leaning over as if he was hiding something on the passenger side of the car.

In addition, other indicators of criminal activity were observed, so troopers requested a canine. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Officer Michael Williams arrived and deployed his K-9, Fleck, who gave a positive alert on the Chrysler.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located a black zippered bag that contained over 7 grams of methamphetamine, digital scales, and plastic baggies for packaging. ISP arrested Smale and incarcerated him at the Lawrence County Jail for the following charges,

• Dealing Methamphetamine Between 5 and 10 Grams (Level 3 Felony) 
• Possession of Methamphetamine Over 3 Grams (Level 5 Felony)

Sgt. Day praised the work of all involved investigators, Officer Williams with K-9 Fleck, and the citizens who had given tips. Sgt. Day stated, “This investigation is yet another example of what a difference can be made when everyone works together. Thanks to the citizen tips, the assistance of Officer Williams and Fleck, and the diligence of all involved ISP troopers, this case has taken a large source of methamphetamine out of our community.”

Anyone with information of illegal drug activity is requested and encouraged to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov. All calls are confidential.