Washington County Inmate Roster – 10-18-19
October 17
Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Jessica Jo Hopper, 37, Salem
- Theft – at least $750 but less than $50,000
Washington County Inmate Roster – 10-17-19
October 16
City of Salem Police
Jill Ann Kokoska, 64, Salem
- Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury
October 17
Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Crystal Marie Schneider, 32, Salem
- Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury
- Disorderly Conduct
Trooper Saves Choking Woman
Yesterday (10/15) a trooper’s training and quick actions helped save a woman who was choking at a local restaurant. Senior Trooper Scott Keegan, who is an Indiana State Police Firearms Instructor, was in his range clothes for training yesterday when he stopped for lunch at the Hacienda Vieja Restaurant in Pendleton.
Around 12:15 p.m. Keegan was eating his lunch when he noticed that an elderly female had approached the serving staff. The server, knowing Keegan was a trooper, gestured to him that the 75 year old woman was choking. Keegan’s training kicked in and he immediately took action delivering back blows then an abdominal thrust to the woman, clearing her airway.
After catching her breath, the woman was able to speak with Keegan before resuming her meal. Keegan credits his yearly First Aid and Tac-Med Training in helping to prepare him for situations like this one. “I’m glad that the staff knew who I was and knew that I could help. I’m thankful I could assist.” This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of troopers living and participating in the communities they serve. As the old saying goes, “An Indiana State Trooper is never off duty.”
Skeletal Remains Found in Dearborn County
The Indiana State Police has begun a death investigation after human skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Dearborn County.
On Sunday, October 13, an individual contacted law enforcement after he observed human remains while walking in a heavily wooded area near Lawrenceburg, Indiana. On Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15, Investigators from the Indiana State Police and University of Indianapolis forensic anthropologists conducted an additional search of the area. During that search, investigators located additional remains that are believed to be of the same person.
Through dental records, it was determined the remains belong to Josh Batchelor. The Indiana State Police had been conducting a missing person investigation into the disappearance of Batchelor, who was last seen in May of 2017.
The investigation into Batchelor’s death is ongoing at this time.
Josh Batchelor’s family has been notified.
The Indiana State Police has been assisted by numerous local law enforcement agencies, Dearborn County Coroner’s Office, Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office, and the University of Indianapolis Forensic Anthropologists.
Newborn Found Alive in Plastic Bag in Seymour
Police are investigating after a baby was found in a plastic bag a short distance off a road in Seymour, according to the Seymour Police Department.
Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, a person walking their dog in the 600 blocks of South Jackson Park Drive noticed a baby in a plastic bag alongside a fence about 20 yards off the roadway.
Police arrived to find that the baby was still alive.
Jackson County EMS took the baby to the Schneck Medical Center for treatment. The baby, which appeared to be Latino in origin, was healthy.
An investigation into the situation is ongoing.
Police want to remind the community that a Safe Haven Baby Box is located at Seymour Fire Station 3, at 605 Meadowbrook Drive.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow individuals to surrender newborn babies safely. When the box is opened, a 911 call goes out and an alarm is sounded. When the door shuts, the box is locked, and only fire and medical personnel can retrieve the child.
Early Voting Underway in Salem; Election Nov. 5
Early voting is underway for the City of Salem election and will continue through November 1st, 2019 from 8am-Noon and 1 pm-4 pm and Monday, November 4th, 2019 from 8am-Noon.
This is an election only for the four districts within the City of Salem limits and voters will elect a new Mayor and City Council members as well as a City Clerk-Treasurer.
There will also be early voting on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8a-Noon at the Justice Center.
Polls will be open for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6a to 6p at the Salem National Guard Armory, 1100 North Shelby Street in Salem.
Results will be available LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM as soon as the polls close and votes are tabulated.
Voting by Precincts are:
Precinct 1
Mayor
- Republican – Justin T. Green
- Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman
City Clerk-Treasurer
- Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
- Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart
City Council Member at Large
- Republican – Jody Smedley
- Democrat – R.H. Bennett
City Council Member, District 1
- Republican – Danny R. Libka
- Democrat – Richard Longworth
Precinct 2
Mayor
- Republican – Justin T. Green
- Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman
City Clerk-Treasurer
- Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
- Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart
City Council Member at Large
- Republican – Jody Smedley
- Democrat – R.H. Bennett
City Council Member, District 2
- Democrat – Rick Stewart
Precinct 3
Mayor
- Republican – Justin T. Green
- Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman
City Clerk-Treasurer
- Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
- Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart
City Council Member at Large
- Republican – Jody Smedley
- Democrat – R.H. Bennett
City Council Member, District 3
- Republican – Steve Crane
- Democrat – Jana Hayes
Precinct 4
Mayor
- Republican – Justin T. Green
- Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman
City Clerk-Treasurer
- Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
- Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart
City Council Member at Large
- Republican – Jody Smedley
- Democrat – R.H. Bennett
City Council Member, District 4
- Republican – Gail R. Martin Napier
- Democrat – Joseph Anthony Scifres
Gas Station Skimmer Found in Washington County
Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller warned residents to make sure they don’t get “skimmed” by a card reading skimmer at area gas stations.
The Sheriff’s Department received a call Tuesday from a local bank noting that several customers had received withdrawals from their accounts due to a possible skimmer at an area gas station.
Miller wouldn’t release the name of the bank or the local gas station but said Chief Deputy Brad Shepherd and Deputy Abby Powers went to investigate and found a skimmer in action.
Miller said this skimmer was actually inside the pump. It has since been removed.
“Some of are put on inside the pump,” Miller said. “You can’t detect that. Some of the skimmers you can detect.”
Sheriff Miller is referring to those skimmer units that are placed over the top of the regular card reader at an ATM or gas pump.
The unsuspecting customer slides or inserts their card and information is saved in the skimmer.
A few days later someone retrieves the device with customers’ card information stored inside and then use that to access bank accounts.
According to the National Association for Convenience Stores:
- 37 million Americans refuel every day.
- Of them, 29 million pay for fuel with a credit or debit card.
- When skimming occurs at a gas station, it usually takes place at only one pump.
- A single compromised pump can capture data from 30 to 100 cards per day.
“We tell people you should pull on the card reader and if it comes out, then don’t use it,” Miller explained. “Sometimes they put it inside the gas pumps. there’s no way to tell unless you’re a victim.”
Miller said he always checks when he goes to the pump.
“I always check the pump. I grab the card reader and see if it will move or come out,” he told WSLM on Wednesday. “If it does, then don’t use that pump. They should be permanently there and shouldn’t come out. Some of the skimmers go over the card reader.”
Miller said location is also important.
“We tell people, too, that these skimmers are put on the end gas pumps – farthest from the teller. It’s harder for them to access the pumps when they are right in front of the teller. Try to use one in front of the cashier or by the cashier. It only takes a short period of time to put one on and then leave.”
“We haven’t found one in awhile,” Miller said. “Typically they’re found on gas stations around interstates because of the volume. We don’t find them as often. If it’s internal, you’re not going to find it until a bank begins to find customers getting frauded. There’s no way to know until you’re the victim. The afest way is to go inside and pay cash. It’s an inconvenience but it keeps you from getting scammed.”
Washington County Inmate Roster – 10-16-19
October 16
Washington County Sheriff’s Department
Stormy L. Moore, 46, Floyd Knobs
- Hunting Without Consent
- Possession of Meth
- Theft – at least $750 but less than $50,000
- Possession of Paraphernalia
Drug Take Back in Paoli on October 26
On Saturday, Oct 26th, from 10a-2p, the Paoli Police Department will be hosting their second drug take-back event.
The previous event (1st time/held in April) yielded 60 pounds of unwanted/unused/expired medications, according to Sgt. Tyler Phillips.
“This was well beyond our expectation, especially for a first-time event,” said Phillips. “Officers would love to surpass that this time.”
Officers can be found at the entrance of the Williams Brothers Pharmacy, located next door to Tractor Supply on N Gospel St.
The event is in coordination with the DEA’s National Take Back Day.
Items (below) can be turned in with no questions asked.
It is not necessary to remove labels from the bottles, these are destroyed the same day. Everything collected will be properly disposed of by Officers.
This is the safest way to destroy unwanted drugs, as pouring them into a drain can contaminate our water systems and cause unnecessary harm.
DON’T BE A TARGET
By participating, we hope to reduce the number of narcotics in people’s home medicine cabinet. By keeping unused pills, your home becomes a target for would-be thieves. As bad as it sounds, those who lose a loved one fighting a critical illness or injury are sometimes one of the first targets, due to the likelihood there are prescription medications present.
DON’T BE A DEALER
Another benefit is reducing the number of medications which have the potential to reach the street level and cause harm or lead to addiction. Most addicts start their illicit drug use by abusing their legal prescription medications.
These type of events are included in our pledge to combat illicit drug activity within the Town of Paoli. The previous event was a success, but we would like to see this one better.
For more information, call the Paoli Police Department at 812.723.2836
ITEMS ACCEPTED WE CANNOT ACCEPT
UNWANTED/UNUSED/EXPIRED THERMOMETERS CONTAINING MERCURY
PRESCRIPTION PILLS OXYGEN CONTAINERS
OTC MEDICATIONS ANYTHING COMBUSTIBLE (INHALERS)
LOTIONS/OINTMENTS BLOODY OR INFECTIOUS WASTE
LIQUID MEDICATION CHEMO/RADIOACTIVE DRUGS
NEEDLES (SHARPS)
Sheriff Goodin Warns Against Sex Offenders During Trick or Treat
Scott County Sheriff Jerry Goodin has issued a warning to parents in Scott and surrounding areas for the upcoming Halloween season.
“In Scott County, there are approximately 52 registered sex offenders, and we want you to know where they reside so that you avoid those houses when trick-or-treating,” said Goodin.
“We do the best we can in making sure sex offenders live where they tell us, so it is crucial that our citizens visit our website scottcountysheriff.org, to see who the registered sex offenders are and where they are living.”
Citizens are encouraged to check any addresses where they or their family spend time.
“The mapping and address feature found on the website pinpoints exactly where an offender lives,” said Goodin.
Goodin said there were many other beneficial tools such as the ability to sign up for FREE automatic email and txt message notifications informing you of press releases, message from the Sheriff and Scott County most wanted.
“I encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween,” noted Goodin. “Knowledge is power and knowing where the registered sex offenders reside in your area can help you make the best choices for safe and enjoyable Halloween activities.”
