The Indiana State Police is currently investigating the shooting of a Posey County Sheriff’s Deputy in New Harmony.

The incident occurred Saturday evening, September 18, at approximately 6:46 p.m. when Posey County 911 Dispatch received a call reference to a welfare check at 612 Short Street in New Harmony.

Officers arrived at the Short Street residence within 10 minutes.

While deputies and the New Harmony Town Marshal were still outside the residence, the male homeowner started firing a weapon toward the officers.

The officers returned gunfire. During the exchange of gunfire, a Posey County Sheriff’s Deputy was shot and critically injured. The male inside the residence was also struck.

The deputy was taken to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville where he is currently being treated.

The male suspect is also being treated at Deaconess Midtown.

His condition is currently unknown.

This is an on-going investigation and additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police

Late yesterday evening, an Indiana State Police Trooper from the Evansville District attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation on I-64 in Warrick County. 

The vehicle failed to stop and the Trooper initiated a vehicle pursuit. During the pursuit, the Trooper witnessed a handgun being thrown from the vehicle.

The pursuit continued from I64 onto southbound US 231 in Spencer County.

As the suspect vehicle turned onto US 231 the driver displayed such dangerous driving behaviors that the Indiana State Police discontinued the pursuit out of concerns for the safety of the rest of the motoring public.  

A short time later, Spencer County Deputy Matthew Gosnell discovered the vehicle abandoned and disabled in the southbound lane of US 231 just south of S.R. 62 near Dale.

The vehicle had a strong odor of marijuana and an additional handgun was located in the vehicle that was later determined to be stolen.

Witnesses stated that they observed four subjects run from the vehicle and attempt to cross the median but stopped and ran back west across US 231 where they lost sight of them. 

All suspects were considered to be armed and dangerous at the time. 

Master Trooper Trey Lytton responded, while off duty, and activated units from Indiana All Crimes Policing Team and Detectives from the Jasper Post. 

Trooper Kaitlyn Green arrived with her K9 Drogos to start a K9 track of the suspects.   

A perimeter involving Troopers from the Jasper and Evansville Posts, the Spencer County Sheriff’s, Department, the Santa Claus Police Department, Gentryville Police, Indiana Conservation Officers, Dale Police Department, the Warrick County Sheriff Department, and the Jasper Police Department was set up. 

K-9 units for the Warrick County Sheriff’s Department and the Bloodhound from the Jasper City Police Department were also utilized.  

Master Trooper Lytton and Chief James Faulkenburg, Santa Claus Police Department, responded to Heritage Hills High School and coordinated with school officials to stop all athletic events for the safety of the students and fans. 

The Indiana State Police helicopter and Sheriff Alan Malone, Perry County Sheriff Department, and his unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), were requested to assist at the scene.   

During the active search for the subjects, Chief Faulkenburg was alerted by a resident in Lincoln City of a suspicious vehicle in the area with Kentucky plates. 

That vehicle was found and stopped north of Lincoln City.

The driver, identified as Kyra Newsom, of Louisville was questioned by officers.

During the investigation, enough probable cause was developed to establish that Newsom was summoned to the area to pick up the suspects who had earlier ran from the Trooper. 

Newsom was arrested for Assisting a Criminal and then transported to the Spencer County Jail.  

Later, Troopers obtained additional information that another individual may have been contacted to drive to the area to pick up the suspects who were still believed to be hiding in the area.  At approximately 12:48 am, Troopers stopped a gray 2014 Kia for a traffic violation on US 231 near SR 162. 

Master Trooper Tim Weisenberger and Trooper Jon Villanueva identified the driver as Ronald B. Spencer Rodriguez. 

The passenger was identified as Andrew D. Carter. 

Troopers and officers were again able to establish probable cause that Rodriguez and Carter were in the area to pick up the fugitives on the run. 

Both Rodriguez and Carter were arrested for Assisting a Criminal and transported to the Spencer County Jail. 

At this time, after extensive efforts of multiple agencies, the original suspects still have not been located. 

Troopers have individuals of interest and are continuing to identify and interview them.  If any suspicious individuals are seen in the area, the investigating agencies strongly encourage citizens not to approach them but to call 911 immediately.  Troopers, the Santa Claus Police Department, and the Spencer County Sheriff’s Department are still in the area at this time and will work with the North Spencer School to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for school students, fans, and the general public for any weekend activities.

It should be noted that none of the suspects or those arrested have ties to the North Spencer County area.  

It is believed that the first opportunity they have or had to leave the area will be or was taken advantage of.

If you have any information pertaining to this case please contact the Indiana State Police at Jasper 800-742-7475. 

Sarah Bierly, 30, Pekin pled not-guilty in Washington County Circuit Court Thursday morning to the charges against her in the death of the two-year-old daughter of her live-in boyfriend. 

Judge Larry Medlock appointed Mark Clark to represent her and also ordered her held without bail. 

The charges were read to Bierly along with her rights and possible penalties. 

She told the court she might try to hire an attorney and Medlock appointed an indigent counsel until she was able to hire someone. 

Clark filed an objection to notice of intent to admit laboratory report and demand for cross-examination. 

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today a regional collection system to sort and deliver items donated by Hoosiers to the thousands of Afghan evacuees temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury. Several state agencies will collaborate to receive, sort, and deliver the needed items.

“Hoosiers have overwhelmingly responded to the needs of the Afghan evacuees and asked to help these men, women, children, and families as they arrive in the United States,” Governor Holcomb said. “We are proud to do our part in helping those who have helped the United States and provide an organized collection effort to expedite getting the supplies to those who need them.”

Nine Indiana National Guard armories will serve as regional collection sites for the public to drop off new items to help clothe and support the evacuees. Indiana Department of Correction and Indiana Department of Transportation personnel, with coordination from the State Emergency Operations Center and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, will work to ensure the donations are delivered to Camp Atterbury.

Since the evacuees arrived in Indiana, volunteers from Team Rubicon, a national disaster response group, and the American Red Cross have been collaborating to provide the needed resources. Forty percent of the evacuees are children ages 14 and under.

Only new items will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday starting Sept. 20 at the following National Guard armories:

• Evansville:  3300 E. Division St.
• Greenfield:  410 Apple St.
• Rockville:  224 W. Strawberry Road
• Danville:  1245 E. Main St.
• Muncie:  401 N. Country Club Road
• Indianapolis:  Kessler-Moore Readiness Center, 2625 W. Kessler Blvd. North Drive
• Fort Wayne:  130 W. Cook Road
• South Bend:  1901 Kemble Ave.
• New Albany:  2909 Grant Line Road

The following items are being accepted at the armories because they have been identified as needed the most. The items should be in their original packaging:

• Men’s and women’s unbranded, modest clothes such as long sleeve t-shirts, underwear, pants and jackets in sizes small to large. No shorts or tank tops.
• Children’s clothing, including baby and newborn clothes, hats, and socks
• Powdered baby formula
• Socks, hats, shoes, and slide-on sandals (no flip flops) for evacuees of all ages

Any organization or business seeking to make a large donation and cannot deliver to a designated site should contact IDHS at privatesector@dhs.in.gov.

Anyone wishing to donate additional items through Team Rubicon can find more information here.

Hoosiers interested in making monetary donations can do so through Team Rubicon or the American Red Cross at the following links:

https://fundraise.teamrubiconusa.org/give/355135/#!/donation/checkout

https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation.html/

A traffic stop for following too closely led troopers to a major drug arrest. Monday, September 13, 2021 an Indiana State Trooper noticed a red Chevrolet passenger car following another vehicle too closely in the center lane of I-70 near Greenfield.

The trooper pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver. Subsequent interaction with the driver and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 15.8 pounds of what are believed to be Fentanyl laced pills and 4.4 pounds of pure Fentanyl hidden under the rear passenger seat. 

39-year-old Felix Becerra Aguilera of California was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, he was arrested on preliminary drug charges and transported to the Hancock County Jail. 

The Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office filed the following charges:

• Dealing in a Narcotic Drug Manufacture/Deliver/Finance – 10 or more grams – Level 2 Felony – I.C. 35-48-4-1(a)(2)
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug – Level 3 Felony – I.C. 35-48-4-6(a)
• Possession of Cocaine – Level 6 Felony – 35-48-4-6(a)

Becerra-Aguilera had his first court appearance Tuesday, September 14, 2021, in Hancock Circuit Court where a judge granted the prosecutor’s request for a $1,000,000 cash bond. A pre-trial conference is set for December 2021 and a Jury Trial is set for March 2022.

All crimes mentioned in this release are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. 

On Wednesday morning, Troopers with the Indiana State Police Bloomington District assisted Troopers with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) as they served a search warrant at a Martinsville residence that resulted in the arrest of Andrew L. Schaeffer, 20, on charges of possession of child pornography.

The investigation by the Indiana State Police ICAC began in June when cyber tips were received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Those cyber tips along with an extensive investigation by Trooper Kevin Getz culminated in today’s arrest when Schaeffer was transported to the Morgan County Jail on the following charge.

• Five (5) Counts of Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony

Trooper Getz was assisted by Trooper Mike Clephane, Trooper Cecilia Wylie, Trooper Matt Jacobs, First Sergeant Chris Cecil, Sergeant Patrick Deckard, Sergeant Tom Egler, Sergeant Ginger Marshall, and her K-9 Partner Titus along with a representative from the Morgan County Prosecutors Office.  

Anyone having any information related to crimes against children is encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or visit the NCMEC website at http://www.missingkids.com/home and find the link to make a CYBERTIPLINE report.