A four-day search for an 88-year-old man missing from the Pekin area since Thursday, Dec. 4 ended this afternoon after police recovered the body of Joseph L. Brown. 

According to Washington County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Brad Naugle, Brown was found approximately half-mile from his vehicle. 

Naugle said Brown was located at approximately 1:30p and was recovered by the sheriff’s department, Indiana State Police and Blue River Fire Rescue Unit. 

Naugle noted he was found on a very steep, rocky hillside.

The area was searched by foot, vehicle, boat and air. 

Police said there was no indication of foul play. 

According to Chief Deputy Brent Miller, Clark County Sheriff’s Department also sent a helicopter to assist with the search. 

Police recovered Brown’s red 2015 Buick Enclave Sunday afternoon and began searching the area; much of which is on private property around Winslow Lake. 

Brown was reported missing from Martinsburg, Indiana and a silver alert was issued last Thursday afternoon.

Brown, a white male, was 6 feet 0 inches tall, 190 pounds, with white hair and blue eyes. He was reported to have carried a cane, wore a Catholic Scapular necklace. 

Police reported originally thought Brown was believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance. 

OTHER DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED: Washington County Sheriffs Department, Indiana Conservation, Indiana State Police, Southern Indiana Search and Rescue, Members from all county Fire Departments, Jeff Craig K9 Search Team, EMA, APS, Washington County Coroner, Arbys and Main Street Pizza.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, the silver alert for an 88-year-old from Pekin was cancelled at 2:51p today.

One of Brown’s family members confirmed to WSLM that his body was found this afternoon.

“We are saddened to say his body was found earlier today,” said neice Teresa Bryan.

Brown has been driving a red 2015 Buick Encore with Indiana handicap plate D185XR and the vehicle was recovered near Winslow Lake, northwest of Salem on Sunday. 

A search began Sunday and continued through this afternoon on private properties surrounding the area. 

Washington County Sheriff Roger Newlon said a release will be issued very soon from Deputy Brad Naugle, who is the investigating officer. 

Early this morning at aproximately 2:00, Trooper Tyler Widner attempted to stop Rasheen Middleton, 30, of Evansville, for a license plate violation on Diamond Avenue near First Avenue. Middleton failed to stop and continued south on Fulton Avenue reaching approximately 100 mph.

The vehicle continued south on SE Riverside Drive until coming to a final rest at Oak Street after driving over a concrete median.

 ‘/tMiddleton fled on foot, but he was located in a nearby garage by an Evansville Police K-9 unit. He was taken to the Vanderburgh County where he is currently being held without bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Rasheen Middleton, 30, Evansville, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
3. Driving While Intoxicated, Refusal, Class C Misdemeanor
4. Driving While Suspended, Class A Misdemeanor
5. Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

Investigating Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

Despite local rumors this morning, the 88-year-old man from Pekin has still not been found. 

A post online this morning mentioned Joseph Brown had been found early Monday morning.

According to Washington County Sheriff Roger Newlon, Brown still has not been found and the search continues. 

Brown, 88 of Pekin, was reported as missing from the Voyles Road area last Thursday.

A Silver Alert was issued on Friday, Dec. 7 after 4p. 

Police located Brown’s vehicle, a red 2015 Buick Enclave, near Winlsow Lake, northwest of Salem, on Sunday afternoon. 

A search has continued during daylight hours ever since. 

The area is on private property and according to Washington County Deputy Sheriff Brent Miller, he is asking for the public to help by notifying the department if they have information about Brown. 

“The police, fire department members and other emergency personnel are conducting a search today,” said Miller. “Because this is private property, no members of the public can be allowed to help search due to liability issues. However, if anyone out there has any knowledge of Mr. Brown’s whereabouts, or if you’ve picked him up over the last few days, please call 812.883.2834 and let the sheriff’s department know.”

Mr. Brown carries a cane and wears a catholic scapular necklace. He also has a tendency to get confused and or lost.

Deputy Brad Naugle is the investigating officer.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department and other emergency employee is at Winslow Lake searching for a missing Pekin man.

Joseph Brown, age 88 of Pekin has been reported as missing from the Voyles Road area, since last Thursday.

Mr. Brown May be driving a red 2015 Buick Enclave, with Indiana License plate number D185XR.

The vehicle was spotted near Winslow Lake. 

Police are there now searching the area.

Mr. Brown carries a cane and wears a catholic scapular necklace. He also has a tendency to get confused and or lost.

Deputy Brad Naugle is the investigating officer.

If you have any information about Mr. Brown, you are urged to call the Washington County Sheriff’s Department at (812)883-5999.

This morning, at approximately 3:25 a.m., Trooper William Carlson was dispatched to a vehicle that slid off the ramp from I-80/94 eastbound to Kennedy Avenue northbound into standing water.  A passing motorist stated that all the occupants (3) of the car were running down the ramp towards a local hotel off Kennedy Avenue. 

Trooper Carlson was told by a motorist who had stopped to check on the submerged car, that two of the occupants were hiding over the outside barrier wall in the high grass, Carlson and a Griffith police officer located a male and female hiding in the grass near the outside barrier wall on the ramp from Kennedy north to I-80/94 east. 

The male, identified as Anthony Luis Salinas, 28 out of Hammond, Indiana was detained and later arrested by Hammond Police for multiple outstanding warrants (Operating While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene through Hammond Police and Operating While Intoxicated through Lake County Sheriff’s Department).

A 20 year old female from East Chicago began convulsing and stopped breathing.  Trooper Carlson began chest compressions and utilized other life saving measures provided by Griffith Police Officer Todd Dawes on her. 

She regained consciousness and was placed in a rescue position until EMS arrived.  She was transported to Munster Community Hospital.

Hammond Police Officer Matthew Zambala located the driver of the car in the bathroom of the local hotel. 

He was identified as Gabriel Salinas, 38 out of Valparaiso, Indiana.  Gabriel Salinas stated that he had driven over black ice on the ramp, lost control and went into the standing water. 

Gabriel was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for OWI with a prior conviction (level 6 Felony), OWI Endangerment (Class A Misdemeanor), and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash (Class B Misdemeanor). He was taken to the Lake County Jail in Crown Point.

The ramp from northbound Kennedy to I-80 eastbound was partially closed for approximately 30 min.

Assisting on scene: Hammond PD, Griffith PD, Sgt. Dwayne Dillahunty, Trp. William Stancy, Hammond EMS and Fire, Waffco Towing.