Monday afternoon two Freetown, Indiana residents were arrested on numerous charges following a vehicle pursuit that spanned three counties.

The incident began at approximately 3:00 pm when Trooper Randel Miller attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a white Nissan passenger car on I-65 Northbound near the 53 mile marker near Seymour in Jackson County. 

The vehicle, being driven by Otha T. Bryant, age 38, Freetown, Indiana fled from Trooper Miller at a high rate of speed. 

The vehicle exited I-65 at the 55 mile marker onto State Road 11 Northbound. 

The vehicle traveled northbound into Bartholomew County before eventually traveling eastbound, crossing US 31, and entering Jennings County. 

The vehicle traveled numerous county roads in the area, crossing US 31 two additional times. 

During the pursuit, multiple troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, as well as officers from other area police departments assisted. 

The vehicle eventually became disabled and came to a stop on County Road 1000 West in northwest Jennings County. 

Bryant and a female passenger, Rachel V. Fagan, age 28, Freetown, Indiana were both taken into custody without further incident.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located suspected methamphetamine. 

Bryant was arrested on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Possession of Methamphetamine, Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle, Reckless Driving, and Driving While Suspended. 

Fagan was arrested on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, and Possession of Methamphetamine. She also had a warrant from Washington County. 

At the time of the incident, Bryant was also wanted on numerous warrants out of Jackson County, Indiana. 

Both Bryant and Fagan were transported to the Jackson County Jail where they were incarcerated pending their initial appearances in court.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.

In October of 2021, the Indiana State Police received information that Nathan B. Anderson, 33 years old of Mitchell, was involved in dealing large quantities of methamphetamine in, and around, Lawrence County. The ISP Drug Enforcement Section and ISP Bloomington District ACES launched an investigation utilizing a variety of investigative techniques.

On October 21st, Troopers learned that Anderson was in possession of methamphetamine and was traveling to sell it. Trp. Chance Humphrey located Anderson operating a passenger car and conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of SR 37 and SR 60 West. During the stop, Trp. Humphrey asked Anderson to exit his vehicle. As Anderson exited, a baggie containing suspected methamphetamine fell out of his pant leg onto the ground. A field test indicated the substance was methamphetamine and the total weight was just over 14 grams.

A further investigation followed, eventually leading to ISP requesting an arrest warrant on Anderson. This arrest warrant was issued on December 2nd. On December 7th, Trp. Humphrey and Sgt. Greg Day located Anderson at his residence on Woodville Road. Anderson was arrested without incident and incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail for the following charges,

• Dealing Methamphetamine Over 10 Grams (Level 2 Felony) 
• Possession of Over 10 Grams of Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony)

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is requested 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.

According to the City of Salem police, two men from Indianapolis were arrested Sunday morning after a brief chase Saturday evening by city police officers. 

The two men were arrested and are in custody at the Washington County Detention Center. 

Samad Reheem Moody, 21, Indianapolis and De-Juante Maurice Burnett, 24, Merrillville were taken into custody by Salem Police officers Sunday morning. 

Burnett was charged with: 

Washington County Deputy Tori Hildreth said he worked the incident and interviewed the suspects. 

“I interviewed them on Sunday they admitted stealing the gun,” he said. “It was from a residence on US 150 in Hardinsburg.” 

The gun was a 9mm semiautomatic they removed from the house of a friend they were visiting from Indianapolis.

Hildreth said as the pair were leaving, they grabbed it.

“The owner of the gun realized it was missing and they took off from the residence really quickly,” said Hildreth. 

He said the gun’s owner followed them into Salem. 

Hildreth said Samad admitted to stealing the gun.

This afternoon at approximately 4:45 p.m., Sergeant Bill Gadberry was patrolling SR 57 near Summerville when he observed a 2006 Cadillac traveling north at 90 mph while passing another northbound vehicle.

Arrested and Charges was Johanna K. Dersche, 21, Oakland City, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
3. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
4. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Sergeant Gadberry attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued north at a high rate of speed. 

Approximately one mile south of SR 64, the vehicle left the roadway on the east side, struck a tree, and came to a final rest. 

Dersche was arrested without further incident.

Troopers searched her vehicle and found a small amount of methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.   

Dersche was taken to the Gibson County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

Arresting Officers: Sergeant Bill Gadberry and Trooper Doug Roberts, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Senior Trooper Michael Finney, Indiana State Police

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.