Indiana State Police (ISP) Sergeant Tracy Spencer arrested a Boston, Kentucky man after a brief pursuit Tuesday.  

Around 1:20 Tuesday afternoon, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department requested assistance at a Little York address after receiving a 911 call from a distraught female caller.

The caller advised she was in a truck possibly stolen out of Kentucky; however, dispatchers said she was speaking quietly and did not provide many details before the call ended.  

When Sergeant Tracy Spencer arrived at the residence, he observed a man sitting in a running red Ford Ranger truck with a woman standing next to the passenger door.

When Sergeant Spencer asked the female what was going on, the truck sped off through the yard and struck a state road sign before continuing north on SR39.  

Trooper Spencer pursued the vehicle and observed that the right front tire had gone flat after the truck struck the road sign.

The driver continued to flee, driving on the rim of the right wheel, and turning off onto county roads. As the Ranger approached the intersection of Mt. Eden Road and SR39, he was met by several ISP Troopers who had set up “Stop Stick” tire deflation devices.

The driver, identified as Thomas H. Spencer, 36, of Boston, Kentucky stopped before hitting the Stop Sticks and was taken into custody. As the investigation continued, officers located marijuana, pills, paraphernalia, and syringes in the truck.  

Thomas Spencer was transported to the Washington County Jail without further incident, and is charged with the following offenses: 

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with Vehicle – Level 6 Felony 
2. Unlawful Possession of a Legend Drug – Level 6 Felony 
3. Possession of Syringe – Level 6 Felony 
4. Reckless Driving – A Misdemeanor
5. Driving While Suspended, Prior – A Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Marijuana – A Misdemeanor
7. Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor

Sergeant Spencer was assisted by numerous fellow Troopers and Deputy Wayne Blevins from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.  

Cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to the arrest of a Bartholomew County man for possession of child pornography.  

Master Trooper/Detective Kevin Getz with the Indiana State Police – Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force began an investigation in January 2021 after receiving four cyber tip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The cyber tip reports indicated that a specific account user for four separate social media applications was possibly in possession of child pornography image and video files.

Master Trooper Getz requested a search warrant based on information gathered during his investigation.

On Wednesday, members of the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force, which included members of the Indiana State Police’s ICAC Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, and IMPD Detective Darin Odier, with K-9 Hunter, executed a search warrant at a Spring Valley Drive address in Columbus.

As a result of the investigation and search, Gavin Christopher Denton Haight, 21, of Columbus, was arrested on four counts of Possession of Child Pornography. 

Each charge is a Level 5 Felony. 

Gavin Haight was transported and remanded into the custody of the Bartholomew County Jail without incident. 

State Rep.-elect J. Michael Davisson (R-Salem) took the oath of office today to serve as state representative for House District 73.

Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush administered the oath in the House Chamber of the Statehouse during a formal swearing-in ceremony. Davisson will serve the remaining term of his late father, former State Rep. Steve Davisson of Salem, who passed away in September.

“It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to serve our community at the Statehouse and to carry on the legacy and work of my father,” Davisson said. “I strongly believe in, and will always advocate for, a limited government that lives within its means – just as Hoosiers do every day. I’m looking forward to diving into this upcoming session and using my experience to keep Indiana’s momentum moving forward.”

House District 73 includes Washington County, and portions of Jackson, Lawrence, Orange, Clark and Harrison counties.

Davisson is a lifelong resident of Salem. He previously served as chair of the Washington County Young Republicans and for nine years on the board of directors of the Indiana War Memorial Commission. He currently operates a family-owned pharmacy in Salem.

Davisson is also an Army combat veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, and he retired in 2017 after 17 years of military service.

Constituents can contact Davisson by calling 317-232-9619 or emailing h73@iga.in.gov.

Autopsies were conducted today, and the victims have been identified as John S. Hall, 74, and Elizabeth A. Hall, 74, of Mt. Vernon.

Posey County Coroner Bill Denning has ruled the manner of death for both victims as homicide.

Since this investigation is ongoing, the cause of death will not be released.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police or Mt. Vernon Police. Anyone with information can remain anonymous.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a hunting-related accident that occurred yesterday in Bartholomew County. 

Just after 8 p.m., responders were dispatched to private property near the 11000 block of S 800 W, for an injured person who fell from a tree stand.

Zachary Burbrink, 33, Columbus, was injured when a cable securing his stand to a tree broke causing Burbrink to fall approximately 12 feet to the ground.

He was not utilizing a full-body safety harness at the time of the incident.

Burbrink was transported, via helicopter, to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis with a back injury.

Assisting agencies were the Southwest Fire Department, Harrison Twp. Fire Department, Columbus Regional Hospital EMS, Bartholomew Co. Sheriff’s Department.