Saturday afternoon at approximately 4:35, Vincennes City Police attempted to stop a stolen 1995 GMC Sonoma pickup truck at the Red Roof Inn, but he driver refused to stop and continued north on Old Bruceville Road at a high rate of speed.

Indiana State Police joined the chase after Master Trooper Goodman observed the stolen vehicle traveling east on Hillcrest Road. The driver then turned east on Old Wheatland Road and then north on McClure Road.

The driver of the stolen vehicle left the roadway at the intersection of Brouillette Road and drove into a yard of a private residence before continuing west on Brouillette Road and then driving north on Old Bruceville Road.

The driver then lost control at a curve just prior to Thompson Road and drove off the roadway into a wet field. The driver continued to elude officers by driving in reverse until the vehicle became stuck approximately 600 feet off the roadway.

The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot to the north. Officers continued to chase the driver on foot for approximately ¼ mile before he surrendered without further incident.

The driver was identified as John H. Koonce, 27, of Bridgeport, IL. Koonce was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

John H. Koonce, 27, Bridgeport, IL

1. Theft, Class 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Class 6 Felony
3. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
5. Aggressive Drive, Class A Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Master Trooper Gary Goodman, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Jordan Lee, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Vincennes Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Department

Saturday at approximately 7:21 a.m., Senior Trooper Ted Robertson and the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department responded to a personal injury accident on west Lombardi Drive, just west of State Road 63 that resulted in the arrest of a Terre Haute man for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ian C. Wilson, age 19, of Terre Haute, IN, was driving his Dodge Ram pickup truck west on Lombardi Drive when he left the roadway, striking a tree, causing his pickup to go airborne.  The truck landed on the passenger’s side, slid into a large tree, and came to an abrupt stop.  

Homeowners near the accident scene stated that moments after the crash, Wilson climbed out of the vehicle and started walking away from the accident scene.  Wilson was located approximately half a mile away, on foot, by Senior Trooper Ted Robertson and the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department. Further investigation revealed that Wilson had a blood alcohol content of .22%.  Wilson was injured from the accident and transported to Regional Hospital for medical care. Once cleared medically, Wilson was arrested and taken to the Vigo County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.  

Arrested and Charges:  Ian C. Wilson, 19, Terre Haute, IN

• Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class C Misdemeanor  
• Leaving the Scene of a Personal Injury Accident, Class A Misdemeanor 
• Operating a Vehicle without Financial Responsibility, Class C Misdemeanor
• Minor Consumption, Class C Misdemeanor  
• Open Alcohol Container, Class B Infraction 

Arresting Officer:  Senior Trooper Ted Robertson

Assisting Agency:  Vigo County Sheriff’s Department and AAA Towing.

Photo: Ian C. Wilson and Accident Scene. 

Saturday at approximately 1:15 a.m., Trooper Alaa Hamed was on patrol in Merrillville when he observed a white Nissan stopped at the stoplight of 61st and Broadway. 

Trooper Hamed observed the driver’s door open and a female subject squating outside the driver’s door urinating. 

Trooper Hamed activated his emergency lighting and attempted a u-turn to respond to what he had observed. 

Upon seeing the lights, the female got back into the driver’s seat and proceeded to drive south on Broadway.  Trooper Hamed stopped the vehicle and upon approach of the vehicle spoke with the female driver. 

The driver, identified as Tysheena S. Billingsley, 33, of Merrillville, IN displayed signs consistent with that of an impaired driver.  Subsequent investigation revealed that her blood alcohol content was .18%. 

This is over twice the legal limit for intoxication.  Ms. Billingsley was transported to the Lake County Jail and charged with Operating While Intoxicated (Level 6 Felony) and Indecent Exposure (Class C Misdemeanor). 

*All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court* 

Trooper Patrick Stinson, a member of the Jasper Post All Crimes Policing Unit, and Trooper Adam McBeth were able to locate and arrest a man today wanted on a warrant out of Spencer County, IN.

The Troopers were able to locate John J. Carie at his Jasper, IN apartment and take him into custody today without incident.

Mr. Carie was wanted on a warrant out of Spencer County, IN for Petition to Revoke Probation, with a bond of $200,000 bond.  Once arrested Carie was incarcerated in Spencer County, IN Jail.

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

Last night at approximately 9:23, Indiana State Police and Vincennes Police responded to a two-vehicle crash at Washington Avenue and Carbon Street.

Officers on scene determined Housman R. Paz, 45, of Vincennes, was driving his 2005 Buick without the vehicle’s headlights activated and rear-ended another vehicle. Paz’s ten-year-old son was in the back seat of the vehicle.

No injuries were reported. Paz displayed signs of impairment and further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .25%.

The juvenile was released to his mother.

Paz was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated with a Passenger under the age of 18, a Class 6 Felony. He is currently being held on bond in the Knox County Jail.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Vincennes Police

It’s been almost four years since Dwayne and Juanita Daugherty purchased the former Craft Town building on the square in Salem to expand the H&R Bakery.

After lots of work, the couple is ready to unveil their work with a premiere and open house on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 2-6p.

Join the cast of H&R Bakery for a red carpet opening of the new location. The staff will arrive in a limousine in the rear of the building. 

Walnut Street will be closed from 1:30-2:30p as the stars arrive on the Red Carpet and pose for a historic photo to connect the old and new H&R Buildings with guests and fans. 

Santa will be there to greet children from 3-4p with free cookies and cupcakes. 

The bakery will be open for regular business on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

You’ll find their famous donuts, cookies and pastries as well as a new offering of cakes and a variety of coffee drinks – and plenty of seating. 

The bakery has been around since after World War II when Warren Mahuron started it in a location near the current Eddie Gilstrap Parts Department.

Soon it was moved to its location on East Walnut Street and has operated there every since. 

In 1950, it became Weller’s Sweet Shop and then became H&R Bakery, named for its owners Harry and Rowena Missamore, who sold to the Daughertys. 

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a Nov. 25 ATV accident that resulted in the death of a Spencer County man the next day.

Dale Carter, age 49, of Evanston, was found on County Road 1200 East near the town of Evanston after he had apparently lost control of his four-wheeler and been ejected from it. He sustained head and chest trauma.

He was flown to St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, where he died on Nov. 26 as a result of the injuries.

The accident happened just north of C.R. 1050 North on C.R. 1200 East sometime before 7:38 p.m. The cause is unknown. Carter was not wearing a helmet or protective gear. 

Responding agencies included the Spencer County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Claus Police Department, Spencer County EMS, Stat Flight, New Boston Fire Department and Indiana Conservation Officers.