Last night at approximately 11:05, Indiana State Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 41 at St. Thomas Road that claimed the life of an 18-year-old Vincennes man.

Killed was Evan James Twitty, 18, Vincennes, IN. He was driving a 2006 Honda CRV eastbound on St. Thomas Road approaching US 41.

For unknown reasons, Twitty failed to yield the right away and drove into the path of a 2016 International tractor-trailer that was traveling north on US 41.

After impact, the tractor-trailer left the roadway on the east side and overturned.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Paul Brandle, 49, of Hawesville, KY, had to be extricated by fire department personnel. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes where he is currently being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Twitty was wearing a seat belt but was pronounced dead at the scene by Knox County Coroner Brian Hagen.

Evan James Twitty, 18, Vincennes, IN (Family has been notified)

Investigating Officer: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Master Trooper Gary Goodman, Master Trooper Randy Huddleston, Senior Trooper Brett Pool, Trooper Nick Hatfield, and Trooper C.J. Boeckman

Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Vincennes City Police, Vincennes Twp. Fire Department, Johnson Twp. Fire Department and Knox County Coroner’s Office.

The Indiana State Police and Greendale Police Department are conducting an investigation into a bank robbery that occurred this afternoon in Greendale, Indiana. 

The investigation began at approximately 1:00 pm when the suspect entered the US Bank on Ridge Avenue in Greendale.  The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the bank teller.  The teller complied with the suspect, who then left the bank with an unknown amount of cash.  The suspect was described as a black male wearing a hat, glasses, fake beard, gloves, and a coat depicting playing cards. 

Investigators learned that the suspect possibly left the area in an orange-colored Dodge Charger with a sunroof and rear spoiler.  Information gathered during the investigation indicated that the suspect may be traveling to the Indianapolis, Indiana area.

Shortly after 4:00 pm, a trooper with the Indiana State Police-Indianapolis Post observed a vehicle matching the description traveling on I-74 westbound, approaching Indianapolis.  Troopers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and detained two occupants of the vehicle.  The two occupants are considered persons of interest at this time pending further investigation.

The investigation, being conducted by the Indiana State Police and Greendale Police Department, is ongoing at this time.  Anyone with any additional information about the bank robbery should call the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post at (812)689-5000 or the Greendale Police Department at (812)537-1321.

Salem Mayor Justin Green today filed a motion this afternoon to continue a hearing to quash a lawsuit brought by former candidate William Ackerman arguing that Green should not have been a candidate for Mayor based on his residency.

Green asked for the hearing to be moved to Feb. 19 at 4p.

Medlock set an emergency order for a hearing to sort out several motions filed by Green in his ongoing battle with former Mayoral candidate Ackerman who has questioned Green’s legitimacy to be mayor.

Green’s attorney, Larry Wilder, filed several motions on January 21.

Wilder requested the Court conduct an Emergency Hearing on his request for an Immediate Motion to Quash Non-Party Subpoenas; Motion for Finding of Contempt and his request for Attorney Fees. 

Medlock approved the order on the same day and set the emergency hearing for this afternoon (February 4) at 3p.

In December, Medlock set two dates for a trial to settle the issue of whether or not Mayor Green can serve as Salem’s first Republican Mayor in 34 years.

Trial dates were set for Feb. 27 and 28 2020 as a result of the Democratic candidate in the Nov. 5 election William “Bill” Ackerman’s November 18 suit that alleges Green wasn’t a resident of Salem and therefore not eligible to run in the election for mayor. 

Green lives at 509 East Tucker Street in Salem but also owns property east of Salem, outside the city limits.

Twice in 2019, the local Democratic party challenged that Green didn’t live in the City of Salem election district.

However, Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey said Green was certified to run in the 2019 General election and beat Ackerman by 572 votes. 

Ackerman is being represented by former Washington County Democratic Chair and attorney Doug Leatherbury. 

A 19-year-old Salem man was arrested earlier today as a suspect in the Sunoco robbery.

He was later cleared of those charges but jailed on additional charges from Crawford County.

The Salem Police Department said in a press release that they made a positive ID on a suspect in the Monday morning robbery of the Sunoco gas station in Salem and executed an arrest warrant this afternoon of a suspect living on South Main Street.

A search warrant was issued for a suspect living on South Main Street in Salem. SPD was assisted by the Indiana State Police, Washington County Drug Task Force, ATF, DEA, and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

Arrested was 19-year-old Demonte Whitfield of Salem on the following charges from Crawford County:

• Burglary
• Robbery While Armed with a Deadly Weapon
• Criminal Confinement – Five Counts
• Theft of at least $750 but less than $50,000
• Interference with reporting a crime

Whitfield was arrested by Crawford County Deputy James Faith.

Whitfield was a suspect in a burglary in Crawford County. 

A search warrant was issued for a suspect living on South Main Street in Salem. SPD was assisted by the Indiana State Police, Washington County Drug Task Force, ATF, DEA, and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.

While officers were serving the search warrant, the suspect was taken into custody on a separate charge from Crawford County.

Whitfield was later interviewed and cleared of any involvement in the Salem Sunoco robbery.

He has since been booked into the Crawford County Jail this evening. 

Another suspect who is from Northern Indiana has been positively identified in the Sunoco robbery. 

The investigation is continuing and no further information is being released at this time, according to the Salem Police Department.