An Arcadia man was arrested by the Pendleton District All Crimes Policing Team late Friday night, (2/14,) on a Felony Warrant for Level 3 Felony Rape out of Hamilton County. 

The warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Wade Heiny, from the Indianapolis District, that began in late November 2019.

Dominick D. L. Conley, age 18, was located at a residence on Martz St. in Arcadia shortly before 11 p.m. Friday night and arrested by Pendleton District Trooper Trent Jones.

Conley was lodged in the Hamilton County Jail.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred in Hamilton County in late November 2019, with an alleged victim that was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident.

Today, at approximately 10:45 am, an Indiana State Trooper’s vehicle was struck by another vehicle while the trooper was conducting a traffic stop on I-74 near Batesville in Ripley County, Indiana.

The initial investigation by Trooper Cameron McCreary indicated that Master Trooper Daniel Elmore was conducting a traffic stop on a 2020 Peterbilt truck pulling a trailer, being driven by Roger Gladden, age 58, Mint Hill, North Carolina near the 152 mile marker on I-74 Eastbound. 

Trp. Elmore’s 2013 Dodge Charger was parked behind Gladden’s trailer with emergency lights activated. 

Trp. Elmore was outside of his vehicle speaking to Gladden when a 2012 Dodge Caravan being driven by Juan Martinez, age 44, Chicago, Illinois left the eastbound lanes of I-74 and struck the rear of Trp. Elmore’s vehicle. 

The collision forced Trp. Elmore’s vehicle into the back of Gladden’s trailer. 

After the collision, the Dodge Caravan left the south side of the roadway before overturning.  Trp. Elmore, Gladden, and Martinez were not injured in the collision. 

Three people in Martinez’ vehicle were transported to Margaret Mary Hospital in Batesville for treatment of minor injuries. 

A six year old child in Martinez’ vehicle was transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.  Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be factors in the crash although toxicology results are pending. 

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Batesville Police Department, Batesville Fire Department, Batesville EMS, Ripley County EMS, and Sunman Fire Department/EMS.

A commercial driving team traveling through Clark County on I-65 was arrested on Friday after 911 callers reported their erratic driving to authorities.  

Arrested and charged were: 

Driver – James Robert Whitlock, 56, of Temple Georgia.

1.  Operating While Intoxicated(OWI) -C Misdemeanor
2. OWI Controlled Substance – C Misdemeanor 
3. Possession of Handgun with Prior Felony – Level 5 Felony 
4. Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony 
5. Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor 

Co-Driver- Alicia Ann Gaylor, 29, of Sarasota, Florida.

1.  Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor 

Around 7 am, Friday morning, Trooper Jonathan Cain responded to reports of a semi-truck driving all over the road and even stopping in the roadway on I-65 southbound near the 23-mile marker.

Trooper Cain located the truck and was able to pull the driver over near the southbound rest park at the 22-mile marker.  

As Trooper Cain interviewed the driver, he observed suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia in plain sight within the cab of the truck.

Cain also encountered a female co-driver in the sleeper berth who was initially unresponsive to his questions and did not respond until he and other responding units attempted to administer Narcan. 

Further investigation uncovered two handguns in the driver’s possession along with alcohol and marijuana.   

Both subjects were transported to the Clark County Jail without incident.

Rolling slow-downs are scheduled to begin Monday night (Feb. 17) on I-65 south of Columbus (MM 64 to MM 68) in Bartholomew County for overhead bridge demolition work at Carr Hill Road. Tree clearing began earlier this month for the nearly-$5 million superstructure replacement project that also includes C.R. 200 S. 

Crews will begin demolition over I-65 SB Monday night at 10 p.m. All southbound lanes will close for up to twenty minutes at a time while overhead work is in progress. Traffic will then be released until normal traffic flow is reached. Drivers will also be stopped at the exit ramp from S.R. 46 to I-65 SB in Columbus (Exit 68) during this time. Demolition work over I-65 SB is scheduled each night through Thursday next week (Feb. 20).

Crews are expected to begin demolition over I-65 NB at 9 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 21), with no weekend activity planned. Rolling slow-downs will resume the following Monday (Feb. 24) and continue each night through Wednesday, Feb. 26.

During all demolition activities, I-65 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Both directions of I-65 will not close at the same time. Demolition and slow-downs will end by 6 a.m. each morning.

Motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route to avoid delays or allow extra time when traveling through the area. Drivers should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Carr Hill Road will remain closed through mid-July as bridgework continues. The detour route is Terrace Lake Road to Goeller Blvd. to S.R. 46. Crews will move to C.R. 200 S. following completion of Carr Hill Road. The contract completion date is November 30, 2020.

On February 11, 2020, Deputies Chris Bowling and Keith Hartman went to North Street in Austin in an attempt to serve an outstanding warrant.  Upon arrival Donald Bowling, 55, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear. 

On February 12, 2020, Captain Joe Guarneri served an outstanding arrest warrant at the Scott County Jail.  Jason Elliott, 44, of Ramsey, In. was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Robbery Armed with a Deadly Weapon, Intimidation and Theft Greater Than $750 but Less Than $50,000. 

On February 12, 2020, Captain Joe Guarneri served an outstanding arrest warrant at the Scott County Jail.  Gabrielle Little, 29, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Dealing in Methamphetamine At Least 1 Gram but Less than 5 Grams, Dealing in Cocaine or a Narcotic Drug and Failure to Appear if Charge was a Felony. 

On February 13, 2020, Deputy Skylar Thompson conducted a traffic stop in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of three people on drug-related charges.  Kristin Cahal, 20, of Scottsburg, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine At Least 5 Grams but Less Than 10 Grams, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.  Anna Smith, 23, of Austin was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Visiting a Common Nuisance.  Johnnie Cooley, 18, of Scottsburg was arrested for Visiting a Common Nuisance. 

On February 13, 2020, Deputy John Hartman conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Nicholas Henry, 41, of Deputy, In. for an out of county warrant, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On February 14, 2020, Detective Paul Clute assisted the Indiana State Police and Scott County Probation on a home visit on Clay Street in Austin.  As a result of Melissa Sword, 34, of Paris Crossing, In. was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of a Syringe. 

A 30-year-old man from Richland is in jail for possession of Meth, Cocaine, Marijuana as well as guns. The female driver was also arrested but later released. 

Arrested and Charged was:

• Lee Aders, 30, Richland, IN

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Cocaine, Level 6 Felony
3. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
4. Possession of Firearm by Serious Violent Felon, Level 4 Felony

Early this morning at approximately 12:15, Trooper Widner was patrolling I-64 west of US 41 when he observed the driver of a Chevrolet Suburban following another vehicle too closely.

Widner conducted a traffic stop after the vehicle exited I-64 onto US 41.

The driver was identified as Nicole Pettit, 30, of Rockport. A male passenger was identified as Lee Aders, 30, of Richland.

Petit was cited and released for Possession of a Handgun without a Permit, Class A Misdemeanor

Due to suspicious activity a search of the vehicle was conducted. Trooper Widner found a bag under Ader’s seat containing 18 grams of marijuana and small amounts of meth and cocaine.

When searching Pettit’s purse a fully loaded handgun was located. Another loaded handgun was found between the console and front passenger seat.

Aders was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Pettit was cited for possession of a handgun without a permit and released. Both weapons and illegal drugs were seized.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Chase Eaton, Indiana State Police