The Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) recently paired with the Bloomington Police Department narcotics division to conduct targeted patrols of identified high crime areas inside the city of Bloomington. This patrol was conducted for six hours each day, from Monday, August 23rd through Thursday, August 26th. This collaborative effort was designed to remove illegal drugs and firearms out of the community, focusing especially on the illegal sale/distribution of the drugs.

This patrol proved to be extremely successful, with two suspects arrested for dealing methamphetamine, one arrested for dealing heroin/narcotic drug, and one arrested for dealing marijuana. In addition, one suspect was arrested for a dealing heroin/narcotic warrant and multiple suspects were arrested for possessing methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl, and handguns. 

Marijuana violators were cited and released for their possession offenses. Two suspects also faced charges for resisting law enforcement after brief struggles with the arresting officers.

The following activity was generated during this patrol:

Total Activity                                                                              

Cases Investigated – 26                                                                 

Criminal Defendants – 35                                                             

Criminal Arrest Charges – 84                                                       

Felony Arrest Charges – 33                                                          

OWI Arrests – 1                                                                                                                                                                             

Drugs Seized

Methamphetamine – 26 grams

Heroin/Fentanyl – 18 grams

Marijuana – 54 grams

Synthetic – 3 grams

Syringes – approximately 300

Handguns – 1

Indiana State Police Sergeant Greg Day praised the work of his ACES team and the Bloomington Police Department. He stated, “We have a long-standing, great working relationship with Bloomington PD narcotics detectives. We all work very well together, and the results of this patrol demonstrate what this successful partnership can accomplish. Anytime drug dealers are arrested and illegal firearms are removed from the streets, our communities are safer.”

Participating Troopers of the ACES included: Sgt. Greg Day, Trp. Caleb Garvin, Trp. Chance Humphrey, Trp. Allen Deel, Trp. Ian Portteus (K9 Czar), Trp. Richard Klun (K9 Loki), and Trp. Matt Hatchett (K9 Axe). In addition, Trp. Zach Parker and Trp. Nathaniel Kern (K9 Magill) also assisted.

A 34-Year-Old Seymour woman was killed early Saturday morning in a motorcycle accident.

Early Saturday, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post were requested to investigate a three-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle on State Road 7 in northern Jefferson County that resulted in the death of the motorcycle passenger.

The initial investigation by Troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that at approximately 12:30 am, a 1986 Honda Motorcycle, being driven by Jason K. Mace, age 39, Seymour, Indiana was traveling northbound on State Road 7 near the Jefferson/Jennings County Line. 

For an unknown reason, Mace lost control of the motorcycle. 

The motorcycle overturned, throwing Mace and a passenger, Emma K. Kiefer, age 34, Seymour, Indiana from the vehicle.

A northbound 2019 Nissan Rogue, driven by Danielle R. Newton, age 29, North Vernon, Indiana, and a northbound 2019 Chevrolet Cruze, driven by Andrew J. Downs, age 38, North Vernon, Indiana both struck the previous crash scene.   

Mace sustained serious injuries in the crash. 

He was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital for treatment of his injuries. 

Kiefer sustained fatal injuries in the crash. 

She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. 

The drivers of the other vehicles were uninjured in the collision. 

State Road 7 was closed for approximately five hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

Kiefer’s family has been notified.

The investigation is ongoing at this time. 

The Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Lovett Fire Department, Dupont Fire Department, and Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a Middletown man went missing in the water at Geist Reservoir.

Yesterday at approximately 6:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to Geist Reservoir near the 11000 block of Olio Road for a person missing in the water.

Initial investigation showed that Jeremy Skittrall, 45, entered the water from his boat and never resurfaced. 

Multiple agencies responded and began search efforts utilizing sonar and divers.    

Search operations were suspended at 11 p.m. and have resumed this morning.

This incident is still under investigation, and additional information will be released as it becomes available. 

Floyd County Health Department has been notified by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) that they have identified fifteen samples of mosquitoes infected with the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Floyd County.

The positive mosquito samples were collected the week of August 9th and 16th, 2021 by a representative of the Floyd County Health Department during routine countywide mosquito sampling.

The locations of the positive samples were located in New Albany, IN.

Although Floyd County has had positive mosquito samples for several years, these are the first positive samples for 2021.

Most people who become infected with WNV can experience mild illnesses such as fever,
headache, and body aches before recovering fully. However, in some individuals, especially the elderly and immune-compromised, WNV can cause serious illness and even death.

Residents of Floyd County should continue to take precautions to avoid mosquito bites by using DEET and other repellants, wearing protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants, and if possible avoid being outside during dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

Homeowners should also be aware of their property and correct common sources of mosquito breeding sites including clogged gutters, old tires, failing septic systems, abandoned/ nonfunctional swimming pools, and other water-containing items. Homeowners should also be diligent about maintaining overgrown grass, shrubs, and trees that can harbor mosquitoes during the day.

For more information on Floyd County’s West Nile Virus surveillance program or to have a
mosquito trap placed at your property, please call 812-948-4726, option 2, option 1 to speak to an Environmentalist or visit our website at www.floydcounty.in.gov.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors, LP will be changing the traffic pattern on the U.S. 50 from U.S. 31 to just west of Sandy Creek Dr on or after Friday, August 27.

Both lanes of westbound U.S. 50 will move to the newly rebuilt westbound corridor starting at the junction of U.S. 31 through the stoplight at Sandy Creek Dr and then move back to the current lane locations in front of Chili’s and before the widened Sandy Creek bridges.

The eastbound lanes will stay the same except at the junction of U.S. 31. Both lanes will be moved about four feet south just before the intersection, allowing for the removal of a sliver of pavement in the middle of the roadway.

Dupont Dr will also be closed for the removal and replacement of the roadway on or after this Friday. The temporary signals at the interstate ramps will no longer be needed after this week, and all of the ramps at the I-65 and U.S. 50 interchange will be open for regular traffic flow.

Milestone will work in the ‘middle’ of the interchange area after the traffic switch. The median area will have the temporary asphalt removed and dirt added back along with a new curb and gutter. The people trail will be finished, and the ditches will be sodded up to Sandy Creek Dr. The four traffic signals will be upgraded, and a box culvert will be placed in mid-September.

The surface lift of asphalt will be placed toward the end of the project, along with the final pavement markings by the end of October this year.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change

A Wednesday afternoon traffic stop on I-65 ended with two arrests after officers located several pounds of cocaine. 

Just before 1 pm, Wednesday afternoon, Master Trooper Nathan Abbott stopped a 2002 Hyundai for speeding on I-65 southbound, just south of the Henryville exit.

The driver, Pablo Vazquez Salazar of Lexington, Indiana, was found to be driving on a suspended license.

His passenger was identified as Betza Elaurelio Camos Vazquez, also of Lexington.  

While conducting the traffic stop, Trooper Abbott requested the assistance of Senior Trooper Zachary Smith and his K9 partner “Riggs.” Riggs alerted the vehicle, and during a search of the car, Troopers Abbott and Smith located over four pounds of suspected cocaine in a backpack. Suspected cocaine was also found on Vazquez Salazar.  

Furthering the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Salazar’s residence located at 1254 S. Thompson Road in Lexington, Indiana. 

During a search of the property, eight additional kilos of suspected cocaine were located, along with a firearm and three pounds of suspected marijuana. A total of approximately 22 pounds of suspected cocaine was seized. 

Both subjects were incarcerated at the Clark County Jail without further incident. Charges are as follows: 

Pablo Vazquez Salazar 

1. Dealing Cocaine – Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Cocaine – Level 3 Felony
3. Possession of Cocaine – Level 6 Felony
4. Driving Suspended Prior – A Misdemeanor

Betza Elaurelio Camos Vazquez

1.  Dealing Cocaine – Level 2 Felony
2.  Possession of Cocaine – Level 3 Felony

Possible additional charges are pending.