On the morning of December 14, 2018, the Indiana State Police along with all Wayne County area police agencies responded to a report of an armed teen possibly going to Dennis Intermediate School in Richmond to commit an act of violence.

Dispatchers notified the school and area police. Richmond Police Officers arrived at the school as the teen suspect shot out the glass in a side door and entered the building.

Officers from several agencies gave chase, and when the teen suspect was surrounded by police in a stairwell he made the unfortunate decision to take his own life.  The Indiana State Police was asked to be the lead agency in the investigation.  The initial investigation was completed and turned into the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in mid-January, 2019.  A supplemental investigation was completed and submitted in September at the prosecutor’s request.

After an extensive review of all the facts, Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman late Friday, October 11, requested a Felony warrant for the arrest of Mary York, age 43 of Winchester, the mother of the deceased teen shooter.

Today (October 15) Mary York turned herself in at the Wayne County Jail to face charges on a warrant that charges her with one count of Level 5 Felony Dangerous Control of a Child, five counts of Level 6 Felony Neglect of a Dependent, as well as one misdemeanor count of Criminal Recklessness.

This afternoon she was booked in to the Wayne County Jail.

On October 11, 2019, Deputy James Ward received information that a wanted individual identified as Robert Evans, age 36, of Austin, had an outstanding warrant.

Deputy JR Ward located Evans at his residence in Austin, Indiana.

Evans was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail. Evans’ warrant was for FAILURE TO COMPLY.

On October 11, 2019, Deputy JR Ward received information that a wanted individual, identified as Jeffrey Ambrose, age 28, of Seymour was known to be in the Old Corn Factory in Scottsburg, Indiana. Deputy Ward located Ambrose and he was taken into custody. Ambrose’s warrant is for FAILURE TO COMPLY.

On October 13, 2019, Deputy John Smith and Reserve Deputy Cory Hulsizer conducted a premises check of the Old Corn Factory when they discovered individuals sleeping in a tent.

The individuals did not have permission to be in the building by property owners and were “squatting” for shelter.

Deputy Smith and Reserve Deputy Hulsizer identified one female, Alexandra Casey, age 26, of Scottsburg, acting in a suspicious manner. Casey consented to a search of her belongings, specifically a purse.

Deputies discovered hypodermic needles and drug paraphernalia inside the purse. The items were located inside her wallet with Casey’s driver’s license.

Casey was taken into custody and charged with UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA. Casey was transported to the Scott County Jail.

On October 14, 2019, Deputy John Smith, Deputy Keith Hartman, Reserve Deputy Bowers, and Officer Hodge with Austin Police Department, responded to Village Court Apartments on a possible intoxicated person.

While attempting to locate the individual, Deputies noticed an individual located in Austin Park after hours.

Deputies approached the individual and was identified as James Winchester, age 23, of Austin.

Winchester was taken into custody and charged with POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE. Winchester was transported to the Scott County Jail.

On October 14, 2019, at approximately 10:00 p.m., a 40-year-old Terre Haute man was arrested on battery charges.

Philip M. Reed, age 40, of Terre Haute, was arrested and charged with Domestic Battery, a Class 6 Felony.   

An investigation conducted by Master Trooper Todd Brown revealed that Reed had battered a female in a Vigo County residence that the two shared. 

The female allegedly had been battered several times throughout the night by Reed.

The female was finally able to get away, drove to a local gas station, and called for help. 

After interviewing Reed, he was taken into custody and transported to the Vigo County jail where he is currently being held without bond.  

On October 13, 2019, at approximately 1:19 AM Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call from the address in the 9000 block W CR 275 S and nobody was on the line, but screaming could be heard in the background.

Jackson County Deputies Jordan Hawn, Brad Barker, J.L. McElfresh and Reserve Officer Eric Browalski responded to the area.

Officers were able to make contact with a female resident at the door. Officers observed blood on the shirt of the female.

The female was visibly upset. Deputies learned an argument began between the female and Shane Weddel.

The argument escalated and Shane struck the female several times and grabbed her across the neck and the female couldn’t breathe.

The female also stated she was pulled out of the house by her hair.

Children were present when the altercation occurred. Shane denied any battery took place.

Shane Weddel, 33, of Medora was arrested for domestic battery in the presence of a child and strangulation.

On October 12, 2019, at approximately 8:45 PM the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a call of a female walking on SR 39 near SR 250. Deputy Zach Elliott responded to the area and located the female.

The female stated she was in Brownstown with Timothy McFall.

The female stated Timothy began acting strange so she called a friend and left the phone on so the friend could hear her in case something happened.

Timothy took off with the female in the vehicle and wouldn’t tell her where he was going. The female asked Timothy to let her out of the vehicle, but he wouldn’t stop. The female began
trying to stop the vehicle by attempting to put the vehicle in gear while he was driving. Timothy finally stopped the vehicle and let her out.

Brownstown Officer Ryan Cherry later spotted Timothy in Brownstown.

Timothy first denied the female asked to get out of the vehicle and then said she asked several times. Timothy said the only reason he stopped was because the female punched him.

Timothy Mcfall,33, of Seymour was arrested for criminal confinement.

On October 7, 2019, at approximately 2:25 PM the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received an anonymous call of a domestic dispute in the area of 2662 Bent Tree Lane.

Jackson County Reserve Officer Jonathon Tabor and Deputy Clint Burcham responded to the area.

Deputies were able to locate a female victim. The female stated an argument began between her and Lelan Sharp.

The two live together at the address.

The female asked Lelan to leave the residence and told him she was calling the police. Lelan took the phone from the female and didn’t allow her to call the police.

The female tried to leave the residence. Lelan pushed the female and the female attempted to defend herself.

Lelan then pushed the female to the ground and held her down so she couldn’t leave.

The female was able to get away from Lelan and got a phone to call for help.

Lelan wasn’t at the scene when officers arrived and filed for an arrest warrant.

On October 11th an arrest warrant was issued for Lelan Sharp.

Reserve Officer Jonathon Tabor went back to the residence on Bent Tree Lane and located Lelan Sharp.

Lelan Sharp 21 of Seymour was arrested for criminal confinement, domestic battery and interfering with reporting a crime.

While the investigation into the fatal crash which claimed the life of Indiana State Police Trooper Peter R. Stephan continues, the following information is being made available.

An account has been established through Old National Bank to accept monetary donations on behalf of the family of Trooper Peter R. Stephan.  This is the only account that has been agreed upon by the family, and the opening of additional fundraising accounts is discouraged.

Those wishing to make a donation may do so at any Old National Bank branch under the name:

Indiana Fallen Heroes Foundation/Peter Stephan

The Indiana State Police is mourning the loss of one of its own after a single-vehicle crash late last night on Old State Road 25 near Stair Road. The crash claimed the life of Trooper Stephan, 27, Lafayette, IN, who served with the Indiana State Police Department for four years.

The preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Sergeant Rick Brown indicates at approximately 10:25 p.m., Trooper Stephan was traveling northbound on Old State Road 25, south of Stair Road, when his 2018 Dodge Charger police car entered a curve. For an undetermined reason, the Dodge left the east side of the roadway, rolled at least one time and struck a utility pole.  Trooper Stephan was going to help another trooper who had called for assistance in Americus prior to the crash.

As a result of the crash, Trooper Stephan suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Trooper Stephan is survived by his wife and six-month-old daughter.  Family notifications have been made.

“This is a tremendously sad day for the entire Indiana State Police family.  We will band together as we always do in support of Trooper Stephan’s family, friends and co-workers”, said Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter.

The Indiana State Police was assisted at the scene by the Tippecanoe County Sheriff Department, White County Sheriff Department, Tippecanoe County EMS, Lafayette Fire Department, Buck Creek Fire Department, Tipmont REMC and troopers from neighboring Indiana State Police Districts.