Yesterday, around 12:31 p.m., two Indiana State Troopers discovered over 120 pounds of marijuana while on a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road.  The stop occurred eastbound near the 22 mile marker.  This is near the Portage Barrier.

Troopers observed a grey Dodge Avenger commit several traffic violations while travelling eastbound in front of them.  The Dodge was stopped the for the traffic violations near the 22 mile marker.

While the troopers spoke to the driver, Howard Montgomery, age 46 of Rochester, NY, and the passenger, Danielle Ruise, age 32 of Roshester, NY, they became suspicious of criminal activity.

A free-air sniff was conducted by Indiana State Police K9, Axel, who gave a positive indication.  After conducting a search, troopers located approximately 121 pounds of suspected marijuana in the trunk of the Dodge.

Montgomery and Ruise were both arrested and face preliminary charges of Dealing Marijuana, Level 5 Felony.  Montgomery and Ruise were both transported to the Porter County Jail.

The Indiana State Police were assisted by officers with the Portage Police Department and detectives with the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. 

This morning, Bradley York, 38, of Evansville was arrested after leading Indiana State Police in a brief chase that ended in a crash on Darmstadt Road south of Mohr Road.

At approximately 10:46 a.m., Trooper William Campbell observed York disregard the traffic light at Heidelbach and Diamond Avenue. 

York was Charged with: 

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Class 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
3. Criminal Recklessness, Class B Misdemeanor
4. Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
5. Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor

He was driving a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. Trooper Campbell attempted to stop the vehicle, but York refused and continued west on Diamond Avenue and then north onto First Avenue.  York disregarded the stoplights at Buena Vista and Campground Road.

The vehicle continued north onto Darmstadt Road at a high rate of speed. As York approached a curve south of Mohr Road he lost control and went left of center sideswiping a 2005 Toyota traveling southbound. 

The Pontiac then struck the guardrail on the west side of Darmstadt Road causing the vehicle to spin around facing south. Trooper Campbell stopped his patrol car on Darmstadt Road just south of the collision to prevent the vehicle from proceeding forward, but York accelerated and drove his vehicle into the front end of Trooper Campbell’s patrol car. York was not able to maneuver his vehicle after the collision with the patrol car. He was ordered out of the vehicle, but he refused.

Evansville Police arrived and assisted Trooper Campbell with removing York out of the vehicle.  He continued to resist and was tased by an Evansville Police Officer.  York was eventually taken into custody and transported to St. Vincent Hospital for minor injuries. 

The driver of the vehicle that was sideswiped was treated and released at the scene.  Darmstadt Road was closed for approximately 90 minutes while Troopers investigated the incident.

Further investigation revealed York had a blood alcohol content of .11%. York is currently being transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail.

Arresting Officer: Trooper William Campbell, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Sergeant Kevin Brown, Trooper Dustan Rubenacker and Lt. Brian Bailey

David graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy back on December 19 of 1987 and was assigned to work at the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg, where he still remains a detective today. David lives in Clarksville with his wife Shirley.

David’s Commander, First Sergeant Bill Wibbels stated, “David’s wealth of knowledge and experience makes him a very valuable asset to the state police department”.

Pictured is Detective Makowsky and First Sergeant Bill Wibbels as he was presented the certificate.

After the first threat came in about 5p Thursday evening, Paoli Community School Officials decided to have a two-hour delay on Friday to figure out if the threat was imminent. 

Later in the evening, another threat showed up on social media and the schools were closed today. 

Indiana State Police Sgt. Chad Dick said law enforcement was able to figure that the post seen locally was a screenshot of a post that originated outside of the area and outside of the country.

“Later in the evening, another post from that same site showed up. That’s when the corporation decided to call school off for the day. For the safety of everyone,” Dick said. 

State Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Paoli Police Department officers have been working with school officials to investigate.

“We are continuing to investigate it,” said Dick. “It’s very complex. With technologies used and it can be very daunting and difficult.”

Dick said parents are encouraged to talk with students. If anyone has information, call the State Police at 812.482.1441. 

Eastern School Corporation closed its doors Thursday after threats appeared online from a foreign app called Saraha and shared through Snapchat. 

“I think this is going to be the same thing,” said Dick. “Sounds like it’s going to be the same thing. I live in Dubois County. On Veteran’s Day, the same thing came out. Once again it’s so difficult when it’s overseas.”

When posed with the question of why these threats would be coming from overseas to schools in rural Indiana, Dick had this to say: 

“Obviously the significance of anyone who’s trying to cause terror is to make people afraid,” said Dick. “What was put out last night was enough to cause the officials to close the school. It was threats to the school corporation. Bad enough for them to cancel school for the day. Terrorists want to instill fear. What better way than to pick on rural communities. Once we’re connected to the world like we are now, things that used to be passed around by paper come from anywhere in the world.”