Two credit card skimmers were found at a Loogootee business Thursday, and the Indiana State Police wants to pass on tips and advice on how to protect yourself.

At 3:12 PM Thursday, Trooper Adam Mcbeth responded to the Chuckles Gas Station on Broadway Street in Loogootee.

Employees reported that two skimming devices had been removed from their gas pumps. Trooper Mcbeth and State Police detectives are actively investigating the case, tracking leads and following up on information.

At this point, detectives and gas station employees do not know how long the skimmers were installed.

“Many questions have been asked in regards to how you can protect yourself or what to do if you see an actual skimming device before using your credit card,” said ISP SGT Phillip Hensley.

Here are some important tips to follow to keep from becoming a victim of credit card fraud:

– Monitor your online banking and credit card accounts on a daily basis. If you see a charge that you are not familiar with or did not authorize, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.

– Protect your card, card numbers, and pin numbers (when you must enter them into a keypad) as if someone is watching over your shoulder. Cover the keypad as you enter those important numbers.

– Before using a card reader at a gas pump, for example, touch the opening of the card reader and try to wiggle it to see if it is temporarily placed in the machine. ATMs and card readers are built solidly and should not have loose parts.

– Aside from focusing directly on the credit card reader, check the machine or display as a whole. Does it look like it was cracked or forced open? Do decals appear to have been broken or misaligned? Do labels or stickers not appear straight or look to be tampered with? If so, report the machine to employees and use a different unit.

– If you suspect that you have found a skimming device, take it into the location that the device was placed and notify employees. Even though the place of business will likely call law enforcement, please feel free to report the incident yourself, as we want to make absolutely sure that it is reported.

The Indiana State Police wants to remind credit card users to not be afraid of using their credit or bank cards, but ask that you remain vigilant in an effort to protect your accounts and your finances.

Thursday morning just before 8:00, members of the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, executed a Vigo County search warrant at 2415 North 13 ½ Street in Terre Haute.

Investigators were acting on a tip received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about possible child pornography images possessed by a resident. 

During the execution of the warrant and the subsequent search of the home and electronic devices, detectives discovered less than 10 child pornography images and less than two grams of methamphetamine. 

The male resident, 49-year-old Leslie D. Helt, was arrested for six counts of Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Possession of Methamphetamine (all felonies). Helt was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Vigo County Jail. 

The lead investigator was ISP ICAC Detective Kevin Getz. Assisting were other members of the ISP ICAC Unit, ISP Cyber Crimes Unit, members of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police ICAC Unit, Putnamville District troopers, and the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This morning at 11:32, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Ty Lightle spotted a red Honda Civic northbound on State Road 63 near County Road 1100 South, traveling at 90-miles-per-hour in a 60mph zone.

Adam C. Flowers, age 35, of Blanford, IN. was charged with Reckless Driving and Possession of Marijuana.

The Honda abruptly turned west onto CR 1100S without signaling and a traffic stop was initiated. Seconds later, Indiana State Police Trooper Michael Organ and his K-9 “Zeke” arrived to assist.

During the stop, “Zeke” gave a positive indication on the vehicle and during a search of the driver, approximately eight grams of suspected Marijuana was found in his pocket. He was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Vermillion County Jail. 

The case was investigated by M/Trooper Ty Lightle. Assisting were ISP Trooper Michael Organ and K-9 “Zeke” and Trooper Chuck Murphy.

This morning at 11:30, Indiana State Police arrested a father and step-mother on felony allegations of child battery. The couple was arrested without incident and incarcerated in the Sullivan County Jail. 

Daniel Robert Williams, age 31, of 335 East State Street, Sullivan, IN. and Coral Leigh Mahnken, age 33, of the same address, were both charged with one count each of Battery of a Child Under 14, Level 6 felony. 

Indiana State Police received a request for assistance from the Indiana Department of Child Services and immediately initiated an investigation. During the course of the investigation, physical evidence suggested that on multiple occasions from Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10, 2017, the couple became upset with the actions of their seven-year-old daughter and battered her.  

The child has been removed from the home and is doing well with other family members. 

The case was investigated by ISP Detective Angie Hahn. Assisting were Indiana Department of Child Services Sullivan County, Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office, Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center of Terre Haute, and Master Trooper Jason Owen. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Two from Washington County died this morning as a result of a crash on the Hardinsburg-Livonia Road, including the driver. 

Jacob Voyles, 25, of Salem, and front seat passenger Tyler Cook, 19, of Fredericksburg, were pronounced dead at the scene. 

At approximately 1:07a Thursday, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call. 

Washington County EMS and Livonia Fire Department were also dispatched to an area of Hardinsburg-Livonia Road south of Posey Chapel Road in response to a personal injury accident. 

A 2005 Chevy Impala was traveling north on Hardinsburg-Livonia Road.

According to a report by Deputy Allen Taylor, the Impala traveled over a hillcrest, left the roadway and struck several trees. 

Devin Cordero, 18, Salem, was treated at the scene and transported to St. Vincent Hospital with complaint of pain. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department is continuing to investigate the crash.