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News

Criminal

• Indiana State Police Debut Computerized Pseudoephedrine Tracking System
  Dec 29, 2009

  Indiana State Police will debut a new computerized pseudoephedrine tracking system in March of 2010.   It is the hope of the Meth Suppression and Drug Enforcement Section of ISP that the computerized system will enable investigators easier access to those who are purchasing large quantities of the drug that is commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine.   Currently officers must pour through handwritten log entries wherever cold medications are sold.  The new program should assist investigators in more efficiently investigating clandestine meth labs and the "smurfing" of pseudoephedrine products. 
  
  The Indiana Meth Intelligence System will not only hold the electronically reported pseudoephedrine sales in the state, but also a variety of thother meth specific intelligence sources to assist in tracking meth cooks and  smurf groups.
  
  The Drug Enforcement Agency in 2008 ranked Indiana second in the nation in meth labs siezed.   Elkhart, Kosciusko and LaGrange counties in Indiana were ranked in the top ten in the State for labs siezed in 2009.   - 1 - 10

• Occupants of Car Flee Car-Train Accident in Warsaw
  Oct 19, 2009

  A car-train accident in Warsaw Saturday night on the north/south tracks at the Market Street crossing remains under investigation.  A local police officer witnessed the Northfolk Southern train abruptly brake.  Following the impact  four persons exited the car  and fled the area.  One man, Hilario Lopez, age 48, remained in the vehicle.  He was arrested for public intoxication.  The driver of the vehicle remains unknown, however, local authorities say that Mr. Lopez is helping to provide information. - 2 - 10

• Bradley Robert Coleman Arrested by Koscusko City - County SWAT Team
  Oct 08, 2009

  The Kosciusko City-County SWAT team was called to duty by Winona Lake Police Chief, Paul Schmidt on a tip that Bradley Robert Coleman was at a house in Winona Lake.    An outstanding warrant for Coleman on a resisting arrest charge was executed by the SWAT team.   Coleman was a person of interest following reports of comments made by him that concerned the safety of Winona Lake Police Officer, Paul Heaton and his family.  Police were informed that Coleman may have a 357 magnum handgun in his possession.
  
  SWAT team members made entry into the residence and located Coleman hiding inside a closet. Coleman was arrested on the original active warrant and was additionally arrested on a second resisting law enforcement charge by Winona Lake Police Department. 
  
  Bradley Coleman was recently released from the Department of Corrections after serving only two years on an amed robbery conviction out of Kosciusko County.
  
  Additional charges are possible against Coleman from the Warsaw Police Department regarding the comments he had made directed to Officer Heaton's family. Coleman is currently being held on a $102,000 bond. - 3 - 10

Criminal Law Updates

• NEW INDIANA TEEN DRIVING LAWS EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2009
  Aug 17, 2009

  The law recently passed by Indiana legislators should strengthen the guidelines for teen drivers. It became effective on July 1.

  Graduated driver licensing is a three-stage process designed to ease new drivers into the experience.

  It begins with a learner's permit requiring supervised driving at all times. Next is a probationary license that allows unsupervised driving with restrictions and concludes with a full-privilege license.

  Indiana teens must comply with a number of restrictions once they are licensed. For the first 180 days of driving, they cannot drive from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

  Beyond those first 180 days, no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings until they reach the age of 18.

  There are exemptions for teens participating in school sanctioned and religious events or who are working or if they are accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years old.

  New drivers cannot carry passengers for the first 180 days, or until the age of 18, unless accompanied by a licensed instructor or driver aged 25 year or older. Exemptions to this include siblings and/or the child or spouse of the driver.

  Teens younger than 18 years old cannot operate a motor vehicle while using any type of telecommunications device unless making a 911 emergency call.

  Beginning July 1, 2010, the minimum age for applying for a learner's permit will be 15 years and 6 months with a driver education course and 16 years without the course.

  Before applying for a probationary license, all new drivers, regardless of age, will be required to complete a 50-hour driving log with 10 of those hours at nighttime.

  The minimum age for a probationary license will be raised to 16 years and 6 months with driver's education and 16 years and 9 months without it.

  - 4 - 10

Personal Injury

• Dorinda C. Conley of Syracuse Killed in Sunday Morning Crash
  Nov 23, 2009

  Dorinda Conley, 39, of Syracuse, Indiana was killed early Sunday morning when witnesses say her car suddenly ran off the roadway and struck a tree on CR 900 North in Kosciusko County.   Ms. Conley was pinned inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by the Syracuse/Turkey Creek Township Fire Department.  The Kosciusko County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team/Critical Investigation Team is still investigating the crash.
  
  Funeral arrangements can be viewed at http://www.newswithstaceypage.com/obituaries.cfm  - 5 - 10

• Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department Remembers Fallen Officer, Jeff Shaw
  Nov 15, 2009

  A Kosciusko County Sheriff squad car is located outside the department headquarters as a memorial for persons to pay their respects to Sergeant Jeff Shaw.     Shaw was killed in an auto/truck crash on November 12th while on duty in the Southern part of Kosciusko County.
  
  Shaw is remembered first as a devoted family man and then to his job at the department, those that worked for and with him, as well as those he protected.   He was very well respected and highly thought of by his brothers in the department.  
  
  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 17th at Warsaw Community Church, 2300 Ranch Road, Warsaw, with Pastor Denny Wilson officiating.  Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery with full honor guard detail.    Calling is from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the church.
  
  A private Masonic memorial service will be conducted by masters and past  masters of Kosciusko County lodges.
  
  McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, is in charge of the arrangments. - 6 - 10

• Sergeant Jeffrey Shaw Killed While on Duty in a Squad Car/Truck Collision
  Nov 13, 2009

  Kosciusko County Sheriff Sergeant, Jeffrey Shaw age 40, was killed Thursday in a squad car/truck collision on Indiana Highway 14 near Silver Lake, Indiana in the Southern part of Kosciusko County.    Sgt. Shaw was on regular patrol duty when the collision occured around 2:47 p.m.   
  
  Investigators state that Shaw's cruiser was struck by a truck hauling scaffolding, driven by Steven Byerly, 53 of Fort Wayne.  After a preliminary investigation, it is believed that Byerly's truck left the roadway, he overcorrected and struck the passenger side of  Shaw's cruiser after crossing the center line.    Both vehicles caught fire after impact.  Byerly was pulled from the truck by a passerby, however, Sgt. Shaw had to be extricated from the squad car by fire and rescue officials.  Both were transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital where Sergeant Shaw was pronounced dead from blunt force trauma.    Byerly was treated for a minor head injury and released.
  
  Sergeant saw leaves behind a wife, Angela, and two young children, Nicholas age 9 and Isabella age 7.
  
  A very tragic and sad loss for the Shaw and Kosciusko Sheriff's Department families.
  

   

  

  - 7 - 10

• Warsaw Woman Serious After Highway 30 crash
  Nov 12, 2009

  A two vehicle collision on Highway 30 at 200 North (near Biomet Drive) left one Warsaw woman in serious condition Wednesday.  Beth A. Bumgardner was crossing the intersection when she was struck in the driver's side by an vehicle being driven by Scott A. Haines of Bourbon.   Haines reported that he could not see the traffic light due to the morning sun.    Bumgardner was pinned in her vehicle until extricated by the Warsaw Fire Department.   She was airlifted to Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne with internal, neck and head injuries.     She is listed in serious condition.   Haines suffered shoulder injuries and was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment.
  
  The crash remains under investigation. - 8 - 10

• Norman Vinson of Jay County Dies of Injuries in a Car-Motorcycle Crash in Miami County
  Nov 11, 2009

  A car-motorcycle collision which occured on Mexico Road south of 400 North in Miami County on Saturday, November 7, 2009, took the life of Norman Vinson, 55 of Jay County, Indiana.  
  
  A car driven by Ryne Fuller, 22, of Miami County, turned into the path of Vinson's 2010 Harley Davidson on Mexico Road.   Vinson was reportedly unable to avoid Fuller's vehicle and struck the passenger side front tire flipping him over the vehicle.   Vinson was not wearing a helmet. 
  
  Mr. Vinson was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, where he later died following surgery for his injuries.
  
  - 9 - 10

• Watercraft Victim Killed in Jet-Ski Accident on the Maumee River
  Oct 30, 2009

  A Fort Wayne man, Matthew Stocksdale age 37, was killed while riding his personal watercraft on the Maumee River on Sunday, October 25th.  
  
  The Allen County Coroner's office indicates that he was killed by blunt force trauma to the neck when he struck a cable securing a job site for work no the Tecumseh Street bridge.   The cables were allegedly strung across the river with no markers for visibility.   - 10 - 10

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