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.

Earlier this week, a New Albany man was jailed on numerous charges after he fled from an Indiana State Trooper in Harrison County, Indiana.

The investigation began at approximately 2:40 am when Trooper Clay Boley attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a Geo Tracker on State Road 135 at State Road 62 in Corydon, Indiana.  The vehicle, being driven by Aaron M. Schweitzberger, age 27, New Albany, Indiana, fled from Trp. Boley southbound on State Road 135.  Troopers with the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post along with Harrison County Deputies pursued Schweitzberger’s vehicle through southern Harrison County.

Schweitzberger’s vehicle eventually came to a stop along Albin Ford Road near Elizabeth, Indiana.  Schweitzberger, along with a female passenger, both fled the vehicle on foot.  Schweitzberger was soon captured by Trp. Boley and Harrison County Deputy Daniel Evans.  The female passenger was not located.

Deputy Evans’ K-9 was deployed on the vehicle and gave a positive alert to illegal drugs.  During a search of the vehicle, officers located approximately 11 grams of suspected methamphetamine along with additional controlled substances and drug paraphernalia.  Schweitzberger was also found to have outstanding felony warrants through Floyd, Harrison, and Dubois Counties.   

Schweitzberger was transported to the Harrison County Jail where he is currently being held on preliminary felony charges of Dealing Methamphetamine over 10 grams, Possession of Methamphetamine over 10 grams, Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle, Possession of a Legend Drug and misdemeanor charges of Reckless Driving and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Trp. Boley was assisted by Troopers Steven Peyton and Zachary Lavey with the Indiana State Police-Sellersburg Post along with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department and Shaffer’s Towing.

Thursday night, Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Richard Klun, was dispatched to conduct a welfare check on a female in Bloomfield after she had left her home in Southern Indiana and was traveling to Fort Wayne.

The investigation revealed that the female received a phone call from two men who identified themselves as law enforcement officers. The men falsely asserted criminal legal action towards the female unless she traveled to Fort Wayne to exchange monetary funds for her fine. 

During the interaction with the female, S/Trp. Klun observed that she was on the phone with the men for several hours and that the female was in possession of gift cards and cash. S/Trp. Klun spoke to the two men on the phone and identified himself as a Trooper with ISP. The men continued to attempt the scam as one of the men identified himself as a law enforcement officer with a police department in Allen County. The other man identified himself as a federal agent and then threatened to arrest S/Trp. Klun for impeding their investigation. But S/Trp. Klun knew that something was amiss and requested other identifying answers from the men. At the same time ISP Dispatchers were in communication with the above-mentioned police department and confirmed that the man was not who he claimed to be. Ultimately, S/Trp. Klun was able to get the men to admit to the scam before they abruptly ended the phone call. It was confirmed that the female did not have an active warrant and she was released. S/Trp. Klun is continuing his investigation and communication with officials in the Ft. Wayne area to attempt to identify the suspects.

Indiana State Police Bloomington District would like to remind everyone that this incident serves as a warning to the general public to be cognizant when you receive unsolicited phone calls. Scammers continue new tricks and have recently been impersonating members of law enforcement while using software that shows the incoming call is from a police department. Their sole purpose is attempting to extort individuals by claiming that subpoenas and warrants have been issued against them or that their loved one is in jail and money is needed to settle the matter.

If you happen to receive unsolicited phone calls similar in nature:

• Don’t give in to pressure to take immediate action.
• Don’t engage in any conversation, as scammers may record your response.
• Don’t provide your credit card number, bank account information, or other personal information to a caller.
• Don’t send money if a caller tells you to wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card or gift card.
• Don’t travel to any location the caller asked you to go to.
• Hang up, and call the police

Lt. Paul Bucher, Commander of the Bloomington Post states, “Our troopers are trained to detect criminal behavior during their interactions with the public and thankfully, S/Trp. Klun quickly recognized that last night” he continued, “Let this be a reminder that criminals are ever-increasing the ways to defraud the public and asks that everyone remain vigilant against fraud.”

Below is a Consumer Information link from the Federal Trade Commission about Gift Card Fraud.

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/gift-card-scams 

Indiana State Police and Mt. Vernon Police are currently investigating the death of a Mt. Vernon husband and wife. 

This morning at approximately 8:16, a family member went to their parent’s residence located at 727 Mulberry in Mt. Vernon to check on their welfare.

When they entered the residence, they discovered their parents were deceased. During the investigation, detectives observed signs of foul play and are treating their deaths as a homicide.

The identities of the deceased will be released after their autopsies, which are scheduled tomorrow.

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

This is an ongoing investigation and further information will be released when it becomes available.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police

On November 5, 2021, at approximately 11:56 PM, Dubois County Deputies were dispatched to an address in Dubois due to a disturbance between an estranged married couple.

Before Deputies arrived at the residence, the original caller stated that Aaron Messmer, 44, of Ferdinand had left the residence.

Sgt. Fleming with the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department observed a vehicle matching Messmer’s description, a red Buick passenger car, pass him on SR 164.

Sgt. Fleming turned around and attempted to catch the vehicle.

A short time later, Sgt. Fleming observed the vehicle traveling in reverse, heading east on SR 164 in the Westbound lane.

Sgt. Fleming conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. A short time later, Sgt. Bower and Officer Goffinet with the Jasper City police department and Trooper Bowling with the Indiana State Police arrived on the scene.

Officers asked Messmer to exit his vehicle because his driver’s license were suspended.

Messmer was verbally uncompliant and refused to get out of his vehicle.

Officers were attempting to get Messmer out of the vehicle when he took off at a high rate of speed, causing an officer to fall and suffer a broken bone in his hand and a laceration to his eye. Officers then attempted to catch up to Messmer but lost sight of him.

A short time later, Dubois County dispatch received a call that a male was at an address on CR 375 S and was leaving, heading towards Patoka Road.

Deputy Hemmer and Trooper Jones were at the intersection of 425 S and Patoka Road when Messmer approached the intersection.

Deputy Hemmer deployed stop sticks successfully hitting Messmer’s vehicle’s back driver’s side tire.

Trooper Villanueva and Trooper Jones began pursuing the vehicle south of Patoka Road when Messmer finally stopped at Patoka Road and SR 64.

Messmer was given verbal commands to exit his vehicle, but he refused. Officers then took Messmer into custody.

An officer was treated at Jasper Memorial for a broken bone in his hand as well as a laceration to his face.

Messmer was medically cleared at Jasper Memorial before being transported to Dubois County Jail.

Trooper Andrew Jones will be taking the lead on this case.

Assisting at the scene were: Saint Anthony Fire, Dubois County EMS, Dubois County Sheriff’s deputies: Sgt. Fleming, Deputy Hemmer, Deputy Leinenbach, Deputy Lopez. Jasper City Officer’s Sgt. Bower and Officer Goffinet. Huntingburg Officer’s C. Meyer and C. Shinn. As well as Trooper Bowling and Trooper Villanueva.

Aaron Messmer was transported to the Dubois County Jail, where he is being held without bond.