On August 13, 2017 at approximately 8:23 a.m,, Indiana State Police dispatch received a report of a driver operating a red Ford very erratically on I-65 traveling north from the 212 mile marker.  

This is approximately 3 miles south of the Rensselaer exit.  

Trooper Martin Benner was in the area and able to locate the suspect vehicle as it passed him.  

Trooper Benner proceeded to follow the vehicle and observe the driver operating the vehicle erratically as reported.  

Driving behavior included weaving lane to lane, driving off the shoulder and braking for no apparent reason.  

A traffic stop was initiated at the 220 mile marker.  This is at the exit for Fair Oaks.  The driver was identified as Christopher L. Elston, 38, of Valparaiso, IN.  

Further investigation resulted in a consensual search of the vehicle being performed.  During this search, a plastic bag was located with a substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.  

The amount of Methamphetamine located in the vehicle weighed 48.1 grams.    Additional drug use paraphernalia, including a hypodermic needle, was also located in the vehicle.  

Elston was incarcerated in the Jasper County Jail.  His charges include Dealing in Methamphetamine-Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine-Level 3 Felony, Possession of Hypodermic Needle-Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia- Class A Misdemeanor.  He is currently being held without bond to make an initial appearance in Jasper County Court on 8/14/2017.  

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that occurred this afternoon in the town of Nineveh, located in northern Brown County.

This afternoon at approximately 4:00 p.m., first responders were dispatched to the 8700 block of Nineveh Road in reference to an accident involving an ORV.

Witnesses to the accident stated they observed the ORV traveling down the roadway, 

before losing control, veering off the road and striking a barn structure.

The operator, Christopher Oder, 38, of Indianapolis was Lifelined to IU Health Methodist in Indianapolis with head trauma.  

He is currently listed in critical, but stable condition.  He was not wearing protective equipment at the time of the incident.  Alcohol is believed to have played a factor. 

The incident continues to be under investigation by the Indiana Conservation Officers.

Yesterday afternoon, a Salem man was arrested for multiple drug charges after being reported as exhibiting suspicious behavior around the Dollar General Store. 

Stephen Jonas, 35, from Teresa Street in Salem, was charged with Dealing in Cocaine, Dealing in Heroin, Dealing in Methamphetamine, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Indiana State Police troopers Zach Smith and Brett Walters were flagged down by a 

citizen and advised of two suspicious male subjects at the Dollar General Store in Salem.

When the troopers responded they began to investigate and after surveilling the parking lot they noticed a male subject, later identified as Jonas, go around the store to the rear of the building.

Troopers made contact with him and later discovered controlled substance, needles and paraphernalia in the area where he was located.

Jonas was placed under arrest and during the impounding of the vehicle he was in possession of, troopers located multiple baggies and needles.

He was incarcerated at the Washington County Jail awaiting his first court appearance. This investigation is continuing.