Starting last Thursday evening, April 20th through Sunday morning April 23rd, Troopers and command staff from the Indiana State Police Post in Bloomington conducted saturation patrols in Monroe County in conjunction with IU Little 500 festivities. 

Troopers assigned to this detail focused on traffic and criminal enforcement in and near the city of Bloomington in an effort to help ensure everyone’s safety. 

In addition, troopers assisted local police departments in calls for service, crowd control and other details.

Throughout the Little 500 saturation patrols, assigned troopers generated 387 traffic contacts (125 citations and 262 warnings), 15 OWI arrests, and 114 total criminal arrests (25 felonies). 

Most of the criminal arrests were for alcohol and drug related offenses.  Troopers seized a wide variety of illegal narcotics, including marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, syringes, and controlled substance pills from dozens of the traffic stops.

In addition, several were found to be in possession of handguns while not having a permit to carry a firearm.  One handgun was recovered that had been reported stolen in Marion County. 

Multiple suspects wanted on warrants in various Indiana counties were also found during traffic stops and arrested.

ISP Patrol Results Included;

-On April 20th, Trp. Griggs conducted a traffic stop west of the IU campus.  During the stop, he observed synthetic marijuana in plain view between the two front seat occupants.  A subsequent search uncovered methamphetamine pipes in the vehicle and on the female driver’s person.  In addition, the male passenger had no identification but verbally identified himself.  As the investigation continued, it was discovered the male had lied about his identity to conceal the fact he had two active felony warrants in Marion County.  He also tried throwing a baggie of methamphetamine out of his pants.  Both occupants were arrested for multiple drug charges and the passenger was also arrested for providing a false identity statement.

-On April 20th, Trp. Richard Klun and Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop along SR 37, just north of Bloomington.  Upon approach to the vehicle, Trp. Klun observed a marijuana pipe in plain view.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana.  The driver was cited for possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

-On April 21st, Trp. Chris Griggs and Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on Lincoln Street.  Upon approach, Trp. Griggs smelled the odor of marijuana. The single occupant admitted to possessing marijuana and paraphernalia.  A subsequent search revealed the marijuana and several pieces of paraphernalia.  Trp. Griggs cited the driver for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

-On April 21st, Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop near the IU campus.  After smelling the odor of marijuana, a subsequent search revealed the passenger was in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  Trp. Parker cited the passenger for possession of marijuana.

-On April 21st, Sgt. Greg Day stopped a vehicle on 17th Street.  During the course of the stop, it was discovered that one of the passengers was wanted on two warrants – one from Monroe County and one for Boone County.  Both warrants were for failure to appear.  Trp. Bartalone was called to the scene and arrested the male passenger on the warrants.

-On April 21st, Trp. Tummers conducted a traffic stop on the SR45/46 Bypass near the IU football stadium.  Once smelling an odor of marijuana, other troopers arrived to assist as there were six occupants in the vehicle.  During the search of the vehicle, Trp. Tummers found three handguns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the locked glove box.  One occupant had the key to the glove box in his pocket.  Further investigation revealed that one of the guns was reported as stolen out of Marion County. Trp. Tummers arrested one male for multiple drug charges and for possession of the stolen gun.

-On April 21st, Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop near the IU campus.  During the stop, indicators of criminal activity were detected.  Trp. Allen Deel assisted and deployed his certified K-9 Drogos, who gave a positive alert on the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately ½ pound of marijuana and three handguns.  Trp. Parker arrested all four occupants of the vehicle for multiple drug charges.  Three of the occupants were arrested for possession of a firearm without a permit.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Julie Deel conducted a traffic stop near the Owen/Monroe County line.  Upon her approach to the vehicle, she smelled the odor of burnt marijuana.  A search of the vehicle revealed the driver was in possession of a controlled substance (Xanax) and marijuana.  Trp. Deel arrested the driver for multiple drug charges.

-On April 22nd, Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on 19th Street on the IU campus.  There were four occupants in the vehicle.  Upon approach, Sgt. Day smelled the odor of burnt marijuana.  Trp. Chris Griggs arrived to assist, along with officers from BPD.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed multiple baggies of marijuana and numerous open alcoholic beverage containers.  Trp. Griggs cited the three passengers for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of alcohol.  Sgt. Day transported the driver to the hospital and obtained a blood draw.  The driver was cited for OWI on controlled substance, possession of marijuana, illegal transport of alcoholic beverage, and driving while suspended misdemeanor.

-On April 22nd, Motor Carrier Inspector Kim Judge conducted a traffic stop along SR 46 between Bloomington and Ellettsville for a commercial vehicle truck inspection.  It was discovered the driver had an active failure to appear warrant out of Lawrence County.  Once Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Chris Griggs arrived to assist, they took the male driver into custody.  It was revealed the driver was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  In addition, the female passenger was found to be in possession of marijuana.  Trp. Griggs arrested the driver for the warrant as well as possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia.  The female passenger was cited for possession of marijuana.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Riley Nungester conducted a traffic stop west of the IU campus.  The driver was found to be operating on a suspended prior driver’s license and was wanted on an active arrest warrant.  A passenger was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.  The driver was arrested for DWS Prior and the warrant.  The passenger was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

-On April 22nd, M/Trp. John Yung conducted a traffic stop on the SR 45/46 Bypass, near SR 37.  During the course of the stop, he detected criminal indicators and smelled the odor of marijuana.  Other troopers arrived to assist and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and a loaded handgun.  Trp. Yung arrested one male for possession of marijuana and possession of a handgun without a permit.  He also cited a passenger for possession of marijuana.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Caleb Garvin conducted a traffic stop at 10th Street and Indiana Avenue.  The driver was found to be intoxicated.  In addition, the driver was wanted on an active arrest warrant from Vanderburgh County.  Trp. Garvin arrested the driver for OWI Felony (his 3rd OWI arrest in 2 years) and the criminal warrant.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Gabe Bault conducted a traffic stop on the campus of IU.  He smelled the odor of burnt marijuana and with the assistance of other troopers, Trp. Bault searched the vehicle and found both occupants to be in possession of marijuana.  Both subjects were cited for possession of marijuana.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Riley Nungester conducted a traffic stop near IU’s campus.  It was discovered the driver was wanted on an active felony arrest warrant.  Trp. Nungester arrested him without incident.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Richard Klun received a tip from the Bloomington Police Department that a female wanted on an active parole violation warrant was at a residence on North Lane in Bloomington.  Trp. Klun, along with Troopers Riley Nungester and Michael Tummers, went to the residence and located the wanted female.  As troopers took her into custody, they found heroin and a syringe in her possession.  Trp. Klun arrested the female on the warrant as well as for possession of heroin and hypodermic syringe.

-On April 23rd, Trp. Robert Whyte conducted a traffic stop in Monroe County.  During the encounter, he smelled the odor of marijuana.  A subsequent search of the stopped vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana.  Trp. Whyte cited one person for possession of marijuana.

-On April 23rd, Trp. Robert Whyte conducted a traffic stop and established probable cause that the driver was intoxicated.  In addition, the driver was found to be driving on a suspended license.  Trp. Whyte arrested the driver for OWI Felony (prior conviction) and DWS Prior.

The Indiana State Police stresses the filing of criminal charges is only the beginning of the process and that the Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless guilt is proven in court.

Indiana Conservation Officers recovered a body from the Ohio River this morning in Clark County. 

The body of a male was located upstream of Silver Creek on the Indiana side of the river.    
 
An autopsy was performed this afternoon in Clark County, and the man’s identity is being withheld pending family notification. 

The Clark County Coroner’s Office is awaiting toxicology results before determining cause of death. 
 
The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released once it becomes available.

The Salem VFW Post 6636 will be hosting Marcus Pride Entertainment on Friday, April

28th from 8:15 PM to 12:15 AM.

He will be singing, playing the best dancing music and providing Karaoke.

There is no cover charge and this event is open to the public.

Indiana Department of Transportation personnel met with contractor representatives last week at Seymour District offices to review plans for installation of thin bridge deck overlays on State Road 258 and S.R. 256.   

Ragle, Inc. of Evansville, the state’s contractor for this $300,000 2-bridge project, is charged with placing 3/8-inch polymeric deck overlays at these locations:

• S.R. 258 bridge over the east fork of White River 2.5 miles west of S.R. 11 in Jackson County near Seymour
• S.R. 256 bridge over the Muscatatuck River 1.92 miles east of S.R. 39 at the Washington-Scott County line near Austin 

Temporary signals at either end of the S.R. 258 bridge will allow motorists to cross one-direction-at-a- time.  Work will begin June 1. 

The S.R. 256 bridge deck overlay is scheduled after the July 4th holiday. This operation will require a 30-day closure. 

A signed detour will reroute traffic via S.R. 39, S.R. 56 and Interstate 65.

We’ve heard the excuses. They wrinkle my clothes. It doesn’t fit me right. If my car is on fire after a crash I don’t want to be trapped in a seat belt. I wasn’t traveling that far. Troopers that have worked the road for even a short period of time can easily recount having heard these and similar excuses for not wearing a seat belt. The truth is, there are no excuses.

Within the last week Indiana State Police troopers have investigated two crashes, one in Marion County with five people that were ejected after a rollover crash and another crash in Knox County where two people were ejected.  In both of these crashes indications are seat belts were not being used.

According to America’s Health Rankings United Health Foundation, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children and adults aged 1 to 54 years in the United States. A total of 21,022 drivers and passengers died in 2014 the result of motor vehicle crashes and more than 2.3 million people were injured and treated in emergency departments. Over half of teens and adults who died in crashes in 2014 were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash. Wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent deaths and injuries in car crashes, helping to reduce injuries and deaths by approximately 50%.

Information compiled by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute revealed that in 2015 there were 250 unrestrained passenger vehicle fatalities in Indiana. The number of unrestrained passenger fatalities in 2015 increased 31.6 percent from 2014. However, overall, there has been a 23.6 percent decrease in unrestrained passenger vehicle fatalities since 2006. 

In June 2015, the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Law Enforcement Liaison conducted an observational seat belt survey to determine usage rates for drivers and passengers of all vehicles. Historically, seat belt usage rates of pickup truck occupants has been lower than cars; therefore, one of the ICJI’s primary focuses was targeting this class of occupants. Survey results found pickup truck occupant usage rates for 2015 at 83.1 percent, which is significantly lower than that of cars, which was 94.8 percent. However, truck seat belt usage rates increased 4 percent from 2014 to 2015.  This indicates efforts to increase truck sea tbelt usage rates have had a positive effect.

Indiana law requires all passengers in a moving vehicle be restrained in a seatbelt or child restraint system while the vehicle is in forward motion. Law enforcement can make a traffic stop if you are observed operating a motor vehicle in violation of this law.

 Please buckle-up every time, for every trip, long or short.

“Seat belt usage is one of the simplest ways to enhance your safety and reduce injuries in the event of a crash” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “Trooper’s will aggressively enforce seat belt usage to advance voluntary compliance and ensure the safety of Hoosier families.”

To learn more about Indiana’s restraint laws visit the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute website at http://www.in.gov/cji/2383.htm.

Three Austin men were charged and arrested on warrants for drug related charges Friday afternoon. 

Arrested and Charged were:

• Jeffrey “Darin” Hanner, 45, Water Tower Road, Austin, (address located in county).
  *Charged with-Possession of Methamphetamine, Dealing Methamphetamine, Resisting Law Enforcement and Criminal Trespass.  Incarcerated at the Scott County Jail.

  

• Jesse Eversole, 40, Dana Lane, Austin.
  *Charged with Visiting a Common Nuisance. Arrested by Austin City Police on 4-18-2017. Incarcerated at the Scott County Jail. 

  

• Joseph Riley, 40, Main Street, Austin, IN.
  *Charged with Visiting a Common Nuisance. Warrant served on him in the Scott County Jail where he was incarcerated on other charges at the time the warrant was issued. Incarcerated at the Scott County Jail. 

  

  Troopers from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg and officers from the Austin City Police Department went to Cypress Street in Austin looking for Jeffrey “Darin” Hanner, 45, from Water Tower Road, Austin, (address located in the county).

Jeffrey “Darin” Hanner had a warrant for his arrest issued out of the Scott County Circuit Court for Dealing and Possession of Methamphetamine. Troopers and officers located Jeffrey “Darin” Hanner at the residence and after a short foot pursuit he was apprehended and taken into custody.
 
The warrant was a result of an investigation that began on February 21^st of this year.

On that day, the Indiana State Police received information of possible drug activity taking place at an address on Fourth Street in Austin. When troopers and officers from the Austin City Police went to the address on Fourth Street, they located Jeffrey “Darin” Hanner and two other male subjects located inside of a vehicle parked with the engine running behind the home.
 
After speaking to the occupants of the vehicle, a trooper located Methamphetamine, Digital Scales and U.S. Currency.

The evidence was taken into custody and the investigation ended with three arrest warrants being issued on April 18th for, Jeffrey “Darin” Hanner, (in driver’s seat of vehicle during initial investigation), Jesse Eversole, (back seat occupant of the vehicle during initial investigation) and Joseph Riley, (front passenger seat occupant of the vehicle during initial investigation).