The Paoli Police Department recently became aware of a social media post regarding two
elderly people attempting to lure a teenager into their vehicle.
This was reported to Police and Officers did respond to the area, according to Sgt. Tyler Phillips of the Paoli Police Department.
As a result of this report, as well as others, which are also being shared on social media, we promptly initiated an investigation.
Officers have been working diligently since the original report was made in an attempt
to identify any potential suspects or imminent threats to public safety.
After a thorough investigation, these individuals have been identified.
Officers have spoken with them at great length and at this time, the investigation has shown no crimes were committed and there was no legitimate threat to public safety.
Officers encourage anyone who witnesses suspicious behavior or believes they may
have been the victim of a crime to contact law enforcement as soon as possible.
As reports are made, Officers of the Paoli Police Department will respond and investigate
accordingly.
Friday, at approximately 10:50 a.m., a male subject walked into the Fifth Third Bank in Sullivan, robbing the bank of an undisclosed amount of United States Currency.
The initial investigation by Master Trooper Detective Jason Schofstall and Senior Trooper BJ Patterson has revealed that the suspect is a black male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds, with some facial hair and a large mark on the right side of his neck.
The suspect was wearing a dark-colored t-shirt with “BE FREE” on the front, a tan ball cap, dark-rimmed sunglasses, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes. The suspect handed the bank teller a note demanding cash.
The teller complied with the demands of the suspect. No weapons were displayed at the time of the robbery.
After receiving the cash, the suspect left the building on foot, walking north away from the bank.
If anyone has information on the robbery or saw the suspect in the Sullivan area earlier in the day, please contact Detectives Jason Schofstall or BJ Patterson of the Putnamville StatePolice Post at 1-800-742-0717. Information can remain anonymous.
No one was injured during the robbery. This is all the information that will be released at this time
Assisting Agencies: IndianaStatePolice Crime Scene Investigator Sergeant Brandon Mullen, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Sullivan City Police Department and IndianaConservation Officers.
IndianaStatePolice initiated a criminal investigation on June 19th after receiving information that a 55-year-old Illinois man allegedly had sexual relations with a female that was under the age of 16.
During the investigation, IndianaStatePolice Detective Wes Kuykendall revealed Jonathan Mericle, 55, of Mt. Vernon, IL, made contact with the female through a dating website. After texting and sharing pictures, they met on June 14th at an undisclosed location in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, and allegedly had sexual relations.
After reviewing the investigation, the Posey County Prosecutor’s Office issued a felony warrant for Mericle’s arrest. This evening at approximately 5:00 p.m., Mericle was arrested at his residence without incident by Mt. Vernon, IL, Police Department. He is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail in Illinois.
A 24-year-old was arrested last night for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failed on-scene field sobriety tests.
Arrested and Charged was Maycol Francisco Tomas, 24, Evansville, IN
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor
Attempted Escape, Class 5 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Class 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Ross Rafferty, IndianaStatePolice
Assisting Agency: Evansville Police
Last night at approximately 7:35, Evansville Central Dispatch alerted area police about a possible impaired motorist driving a white Ford F150 in the area of I-69 and US 41.
A motorist following the suspected impaired driver was able to give location updates until Trooper Rafferty spotted the vehicle traveling east on Riverside Drive approaching Culver Drive.
The vehicle was swerving side to side and crossed over the center line into oncoming traffic.
Trooper Rafferty activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued east on Riverside Drive approximately seven blocks before turning north on Linwood.
When Evansville Police arrived Trooper Rafferty was able to maneuver his patrol car ahead of the suspected impaired driver, who was traveling approximately 15-20 mph. The driver stopped and stumbled out of his truck.
While transporting Tomas to the Vanderburgh County Jail he became agitated, unfastened his seatbelt and attempted to exit the patrol car while traveling north on US 41 at Lynch. Trooper Rafferty was able to restrain Tomas and prevent him from escaping.
After arriving at the jail, Tomas continued to resist and had to be removed from the patrol car. Further investigation revealed Tomas had a blood alcohol content of .21%. He was arrested and is currently being held on bond in the Vanderburgh County Jail.
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boating incident after a body was recovered from the Ohio River last night. Conservation officers and multiple agencies responded to a 911 call after a kayaker capsized across from the George Rogers Clark boat ramp in Clarksville.
According to preliminary investigation, Travis Hughes (28) of Pewee Valley, Kentucky, was kayaking with his girlfriend, Jamie Dunaway (31) and his brother Mitchell Hughes (30), both of Pewee Valley, shortly after 9 p.m. Dunaway’s kayak capsized after encountering a wave, and Travis Hughes attempted to rescue her, capsizing his kayak.
Dunaway swam to an island nearby, where she was picked up by a Clarksville Fire Department rescue boat a short time later. Mitchell Hughes remained upright in his kayak and searched the water until rescue crews arrived.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., Travis Hughes’ body was located and recovered floating just out from the hydroelectric dam across from the boat ramp. The Clark County Coroner’s Office took possession of the body and will rule on the cause of death. Toxicology results are pending.
No life jackets were present or worn by any of the kayakers. Conservation Officers strongly encourage boaters to always wear life jackets when on board a watercraft, regardless of the size of the waterway.
Assisting agencies at the scene included the Clarksville Fire Department, Clarksville Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, Yellow EMS, Louisville Fire Department, Louisville Metro Police Department, and the Clark County Coroner’s Office.
A tip regarding the location of a wanted Evansville woman resulted in the arrest of two people and the discovery of over 30 grams of methamphetamine.
Yesterday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m., officers with the Indiana State Police, Posey County Sheriff’s Office and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to 27 North Locust Street in Poseyville after receiving a tip that Christy Smith, 42, was currently at this residence.
Smith was wanted out of Vanderburgh County for two felony warrants.
When officers arrived they located and arrested Smith without incident.
While inside the residence, officers found a small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a controlled substance and approximately 32 grams of methamphetamine.
Smith and the tenant, Anthony Crawley, 29, were arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Christy Smith, 42, Evansville, IN
Dealing Methamphetamine, Class 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Class 3 Felony
Possession of a Syringe, Class 6 Felony
Possession of a Schedule Drug, Class A Misdemeanor
Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
Two Vanderburgh County Felony Warrants (1) Escape (2) Petition to Revoke
Anthony Crawley, 29, 27 North Locust Street, Poseyville, IN
Possession of Methamphetamine, Class 3 Felony
Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officers: Trooper Brandon Deig, Indiana State Police and Deputy Josh Brock and Deputy Andy Porath, Posey County Sheriff’s Office
Assisting Officer: Deputy Rob Schmitt, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
A mother and son were arrested over the weekend for making meth at their home south of Salem.
Noah R. Payton, 36, and his mother, Deborah Lynn Payton, 63, were both arrested after police were originally called after the mother was found unresponsive on the lawn at 9533 South Big Springs Road.
Deborah Lynn PaytonNoah R. Payton
The 911 call came in at 10p on Thursday, August 16 and Washington County EMS and Jackson Township First Responders were dispatched to the scene.
Dispatch subsequently requested Washington County Sheriff‘s Deputy to assist.
Brad Naugle of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, along with Deputy Paul Ginkins responded.
“When we arrived, I located a female, later identified as Deborah Peyton, in the backyard laying on the ground and Deborah appeared to be intoxicated but was awake,” wrote Naugle in his affidavit. “We asked Deborah how much she had had to drink today and she replied that she was stressed out because she had to take care of her three grandchildren and deal with Noah’s girlfriend. Deborah stated that she had been mowing with the riding lawn mower and she had gotten the lawn mower stuck on hill.”
Naugle stated it appeared to him that she had gotten off the mower and possibly passed out in the yard.
An individual named Noah Peyton informed Naugle that he had located his mother, Deborah, and that she was unresponsive and would not wake up and he had called 911.
According to the affidavit, Noah further stated to Naugle that Deborah had consumed approximately one liter of vodka during the day.
Deborah was evaluated by Washington County EMS and it was determined that she did not have any injuries, but they did advise she would need assistance back inside the residence.
“As we were helping Deborah to the house, Noah stated he was going to move the lawn mower,” wrote Naugle. “We assisted her into the house. Noah parked the lawn
mower in the front of the house and came inside. As EMS was walking Deborah to bedroom that Noah directed them to, Noah removed key from his pocket and unlocked deadbolt style lock on the bedroom door and opened it to let them in.”
Naugle noted that he then stepped back outside and at that time observed in plain view small clear Ziploc baggie that appeared to have white residue on the porch of the residence.
Naugle said the residue field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Naugled stated, “I walked back inside and asked Noah if he would step outside and speak with me. I mirandized Noah and at that time [he] became argumentative and stated it had been month since he snorted any methamphetamine and the methamphetamine on the porch belonged to his girlfriend who had left earlier in the day.”
Naugle said Noah initially consented to the search of his room inside the residence and then as Naugle was obtaining the consent form, Noah withdrew his consent and became disruptive to the point that he had to be handcuffed and asked to sit in a chair on the porch.
As Naugle was speaking to Noah, Deborah exited the house and came out where they were speaking.
Naugle wrote, “I asked Deborah to have seat in the other chair and she did so. I explained to Deborah what had located on the porch and she mumbled but could not understand her. I continued speaking with Noah and at that time Deborah started cussing and attempted to grab the baggy and the field testing kit of table where I had laid it. I asked her to please stop and Deborah stood up and started cussing, stating it was her “fucking house.””
Naugle radioed dispatch for another officer to assist and Salem City Police Officer Chad Webb advised he was enroute.
Child Protective Services was contacted and the three children were removed from the home.
Washington County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Mark Wynn assisted with the affidavit for search warrant.
Naugle wrote, “While on the phone, I heard adisturbance coming from the front porch. I then observed Deborah to be cussing and screaming. She was also kicking at Officer Webb and
observed her actually kick him three times in his stomach and upper leg area. I walked up onto the porch and Officer Ginkins was attempting to keep Noah under control because he was trying to get out of the chair and was yelling.”
Deborah was placed under arrest at this time for disorderly conduct and battery on a police oficer. Officer Webb escorted Deborah to his patrol car and placed her in the front passenger seat.
The affidavit indicated that after she was placed in the passenger seat, Deborah began kicking again and kicked Ofiicer Webb at least twice in the leg and also kicked Naugle twice in his left leg. At that time she was placed in restraints.
Officer Webb transported Deborah to the Washington County Detention Center where she was remanded to jail staff.
Naugle met with Judge Frank Newkirk Jr to obtain and search warrant for the home and returned to the location.
During the execution of the search warrant in the southwest corer bedroom closet, Naugle located a camouflage backpack.
“Inside the backpack, I observed a bottle of Liquid Fire, a lid with two rubber hoses attached to it, and a clear baby food jar containing red powder,” he wrote. “I believed that these items could be consistent in being a methamphetamine lab.”
Naugle then contacted ISP Trooper Brett Walters who came to the scene and confirmed it to be a methamphetamine lab.
Trooper Walters contacted ISP Sgt. Katrina Smith to assist him in collecting evidence and disposing of the lab materials.
Naugle informed Noah Peyton that he was under arrest and Deputy Allen Taylor who had arrived on scene to assist transported him to the Washington County Detention Center where he was remanded to the jail staff.
Deborah Peyton was charged with:
Manufacturing Methamphetamine level felony
Battery against public safety official level felony
Indiana StatePolice Jasper District Commander Lieutenant Jason Allen has announced troopers will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint in Perry County on Friday, August 23rd, 2019. The exact location and time will not be released. Motorists that are not impaired can expect a very short delay of 2-3 minutes while passing through the checkpoint.
Troopers encourage all motorists to call 911 or the closest Indiana StatePolice Post when they observe another motorist that may be impaired. Be prepared to give a description of the vehicle, location and direction of travel.
The Indiana StatePolice is committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints in effort to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.
Motorist entering the checkpoint are encouraged to have their driver’s license and vehicle registration readily available to minimize their delay.
Plan ahead and always have a designated driver.
Don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle if you’ve been consuming alcoholic beverages.
Better safe than sorry: call a taxi, sober friend or a family member to come and get you.
If you are hosting a party, always offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
*Operation Pull-Over Blitz will continue through September 02, 2019
