The Salem Police Department is investigating an armed robbery at that took place at the Sonoco gas station in Salem that took place Monday at 4:21a. 

According to SPD, officers obtained video footage showing two adult black males entering the stores. 

One male was armed and held the cashier at gunpoint while the other grabbed all the money from the register. 

The suspects then fled on foot and out of sight of the cameras.

No one was injured during the robbery.

Suspects are still at large and believed to be driving a dark-colored Chevy HHR. 

If anyone has any information regarding the robbery, please contact the Salem Police Department at 812.883.5100

This morning at approximately 2:03 a.m., Trooper Dennis Griffin was dispatched to a single-vehicle crash on I-80/94 eastbound lanes at the 2.2 mile-marker. 

The vehicle, a white 2019 Chevrolet Camaro, had struck the impact attenuator which resulted in two lanes being blocked.

Through Trooper Griffin’s investigation, he had reason to believe that the driver of the vehicle was impaired via alcoholic beverages. 

The driver, Anthony Van Norris, 35 years of age from Merrillville, IN, refused to submit to a chemical test and was taken into custody. 

At approximately 2:48 a.m., a secondary crash occurred in the back-up on I-80/94 eastbound at the 2.0 mile-marker.  Assistance was requested from the Indiana State Police Toll Road District as well as from the Hammond Police Department. 

Mr. Norris was transported to Southlake Methodist by Trooper Benjamin Beers where a search warrant was obtained and a blood draw was completed. 

Toxicology results are pending. 

Mr. Norris was transported to the Lake County Jail and a preliminary charge of O.W.I. Refusal- Class A Misdemeanor is being submitted to the Lake County Prosecutor.

Trooper Griffin arrived at the scene of the second crash and observed three vehicles, a semi and two passenger vehicles. 

One of the vehicles, a white 1995 Lincoln was engulfed in flames.  Preliminary investigation by Trooper Griffin shows that a 2013 Toyota Highlander, driven by Shenay Neal, 44, from Crown Point, IN was traveling in the far left lane at a high rate of speed. 

The Toyota rear-ended the Lincoln, causing the Lincoln to spin to the left lane where it burst into flames.  The Toyota then continued straight and rear-ended a second vehicle which was a 2018 Utility semi-trailer being pulled by a 2019 International tractor.  The semi is operated by TTS Logistics, LLC of Mount Pleasant, MI. 

The truck was being driven by Lance A. Forbus, 32 from Dallas, TX. 

The drivers of the Highlander and International were both transported for treatment of minor injuries.  Attempts were made to remove the driver of the Lincoln, however they were unsuccessful due to the fire. 

The driver of the Lincoln was declared deceased at the scene by the Lake County Coroner.  The name of the deceased is pending positive identification by the Lake County Coroner. 

Upon completion, a copy of the investigation will be forwarded to the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office for review. 

As this fatal crash was being investigated, a third crash took place in the backup at the 0.7 mile- marker which involved 7 vehicles.  None of those drivers or passengers were injured, however there was also lane blockage which resulted in an additional backup. 

A fourth crash took place in the back-up at the 0.1 mile-marker.  That crash involved a semi and passenger vehicle and resulted in minor injuries and lane blockage as well.

Assisting at the scene was the Lake County Coroner’s Office, Hammond Fire/EMS, Hammond Police Department, Indiana State Police Toll Road, and Bert’s Towing.

The Indiana State Police this morning was back at the scene of a fatal car vs. train crash that occurred Saturday afternoon on CR450 North (Christie Road), just west of US 31 in northern Scott County. 

ISP investigators continue their probe and do look for any additional information in daylight hours. 

This crash is still under investigation.  In addition to completing the physical inspection of the vehicles and scene, investigators will likely request and review any necessary toxicology reports. 

At the time of this news release, there is no further information on the medical condition of the two injured passengers. 

The preliminary investigation reveals police were alerted to the crash shortly after 5 pm. 

The collision involved a northbound CSX train and a 2005 Nissan passenger car traveling westbound on Christie Road. 

The Nissan was occupied by two adult females and a juvenile female. 

The driver, Stephanie R. Trabue, 22, of Scottsburg, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Scott County Coroner. 

Both passengers were airlifted to the University of Louisville Hospital for possible life-threatening injuries. 

ISP reconstructionists were contacted for assistance and assumed the investigation. 

Units from the Indiana State Police were assisted by officers from the Austin Police Department, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and the Crothersville Police Department. 

Last night and early this morning, Indiana State Police conducted a saturation patrol targeting dangerous and impaired drivers throughout Knox County.

Between 9:30 last night and 3:30 this morning, troopers issued 18 traffic tickets, 33 warnings and arrested three impaired drivers. Troopers also cited and released two individuals for possession of marijuana.

Arrested and Charges:

• Keith A. Luenebrink, 28, Monroe City, IN

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated – Refusal, Class A Misdemeanor
2. Outstanding Warrant out of Knox County            

• William R. Thais, 63, Vincennes, IN   (BAC .18%)

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
2. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated –Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor

• Tanner M. Allen, 21, Vincennes, IN   (BAC of .08%)

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Trooper Jordan Lee and Trooper Hunter Manning

The Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

During the evening hours of Friday, January 31, 2020, Investigators and Troopers from the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg arrested a Marengo, Indiana man for Child Molestation.

Detective Chris Tucker launched an investigation in November of 2019 after he was contacted by the Indiana Department of Child Services and learned of possible inappropriate or illegal conduct involving a minor. 

During the investigation, Tucker gained probable cause to believe sexual conduct occurred between Michael L. Ransdell, 68, and a child at an unspecified time during 2018. 

The alleged incident occurred at a New Salisbury, Indiana residence.   

As a result of the investigation, Detective Tucker requested an arrest warrant for Ransdell on one count of Child Molestation, a Level Four Felony. 

On Friday evening, Trooper Ryne McMahel arrested Ransdell at his residence in Marengo. 

After his arrest, Michael Ransdell was transported and remanded into the custody of the Harrison County Jail without incident. 

Detective Tucker was assisted by case workers with the Indiana Department of Child Services.

All subjects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

One female and two others – all from Scott County – were seriously injured this evening in an accident involving a car and train.

Shortly after 5:00 pm on February 1, 2020, an accident involving a CXS train and a small passenger car occurred approximately one-tenth of a mile west of US 31 on Christie Road in Austin. 

The accident resulted in one fatality and two seriously injured.  Stephanie Trabue, 22, of Scottsburg was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the Scott County Coroner’s Office. 

Karli Rose, 20, of Austin and Hannah Combs, 17, of Austin were both airlifted from the scene and transported to the University of Louisville Hospital for life-threatening injuries. 

While responding to the accident an Austin Fire Apparatus being operated by Dustin Jordan was involved in a single-vehicle accident resulting in a minor injury to the passenger Jodi Parks. 

The Sheriff’s Office has turned the crash investigation over to the Indian State police who are reconstructing the accident and any further information will need to be obtained through the State Police. 

Any further information in regards to the accident with the fire truck will need to be obtained from the Jennings Township Fire Department. 

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Austin Police Department, the Scottsburg Police Department, the Crothersville Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Railroad Police, the Jennings Township Fire Department, the Vernon Township Fire Department, the Scottsburg Fire Department, Scott County EMS, Air Methods Air Ambulance and Stat Flight Air Ambulance. 

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today issued the following statement regarding his vote to oppose additional witnesses in the impeachment trial:

“It would establish a dangerous precedent if the Senate were to fix defective articles of impeachment. If the House felt that additional witnesses and evidence were necessary to prove their case, they should have pursued these legal disputes in the courts to protect the rights of the accused. This is exactly what our Founding Fathers’ carefully designed system of constitutional checks and balances calls for. In their rush to impeach this President, the House did not follow the appropriate process. It is for this reason, that I am duty bound to oppose the motion to call additional witnesses.”

Milestone Contractors will begin tree clearing operations along Carr Hill Road over I-65 in Bartholomew County next week.

The road will close beginning Monday, February 3, and reopen by Friday, February 7, weather permitting, once tree clearing work is complete.

Nighttime shoulder closures are also planned on I-65 near the bridge, located just south of Exit 68 (S.R. 46/Columbus).

Bridge work is expected to begin the following Monday (Feb. 10) and Carr Hill Road will close at that time through mid-July. Additional restrictions will take place on I-65 during bridge deck demolition and overhead work.

The official detour for the closure will follow Terrace Lake Road to Goeller Blvd. to S.R. 46.

The nearly-$5 million superstructure replacement project was awarded to Milestone in November and also includes C.R. 200 S. over I-65. The project completion date is November 30, 2020. Motorists should slow down and use extra caution when traveling in and near the work zone.