LaPorte Police reported burglaries and vandalism at two fast-food restaurants and one church on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

– Police said someone broke into Wendy’s Restaurant, 1202 Lincolnway, between 2 and 6:58 a.m. and damaged items inside. Vandalized were cash registers, soda fountain dispensers, microwave, computer keyboard and monitor, interior office door, exterior door, and safe keypad.

– A burglary also occurred at Arby’s, 1102 W. Ind. 2, between 12:40 and 5 a.m. Damaged were several cash registers, security system components, interior doors and walls, and a freezer.

– The Door Church, 905 W. 22nd St., was burglarized overnight also. The burglar(s) stole four drum-set cymbals and two electric guitars.

If you have information on any of these crimes, contact the LaPorte Police Department at 362-9446 or at www.lpcitypd.com to submit a crime tip. You can remain anonymous while providing important information to help make your community safer. Please be as specific as you can about the activity you are reporting.

Emerson

A man and a woman from Michigan City were arrested Thursday evening, May 9, 2013, and charged with dealing cocaine, according to the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit.

Summers

Joseph Emerson, 34, who lives at Woodland Crossing apartments in Michigan City, was arrested during a traffic stop at was arrested during a traffic stop on County Road 900 West south of Pahs Road. He had been wanted on an arrest warrant for dealing in a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), a Class A felony, and was subsequently charged with three counts of the crime. Emerson was being held in LaPorte County Jail on $100,000 bond.

Shortly after Emerson’s arrest, Jennifer Summers, 31, was arrested at her Woodland Crossings apartment. She had been wanted on one count of dealing in a Schedule II controlled substance (cocaine), a Class A felony. She was also being held in LaPorte County Jail on $100,000 bond.

The public is encouraged to report potential drug activity to the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit by calling (219) 325-9022. The Metro Operations Unit is a multi-jurisdictional drug task force comprised of investigators from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and LaPorte Police Department.

Police are looking for Jhozaeha VanSchoyck, who is wanted for failure to appear on a charge of battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

VanSchoyck, approximately 34, is 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 130 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LaPorte Police at 219-362-9446 or LaPorte County Metro Operations at 219-325-9022.

A semi lies on its side and its load of cement blocks is scattered through the lawn in front of the offices on U.S. 35 North, just north of its intersection with Johnson Road. A NIPSCO truck and personnel were at the scene because of reported downed power lines.

U.S. 35 between Johnson Road and U.S. 20 was closed for several hours this afternoon, May 13, 2013, because of a serious accident, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office reported. This photo sent to WNLP shows an overturned semi that was carrying cement blocks. Other vehicles were also involved.

A medical helicopter was at the scene.

The accident happened shortly after 2 p.m. on 35 just north of Johnson Road. The stretch of highway was closed until about 5:30 this evening.

Townsel

Three LaPorte men who were being sought on drug-dealing charges were arrested May 15, 2013, according to the LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit.

J. Ukonga

Julian Townsel, 19, was arrested at his home in the 5600 West block of Johnson Road. He had been sought for revocation of a suspended sentence for possession of a controlled substance (Hydrocodone) and dealing in cocaine or narcotic drug.

Joseph Ukonga, 22, was arrested at his home in the 1000 block of Weller Avenue. He had been wanted for dealing a Schedule I controlled substance (heroin), a Class A felony, and possession of a Schedule I controlled substance (heroin), a Class B felony.

E. Ukonga

Emmanuel Ukonga, 19, was arrested at his home in the 200 block of I Street. He had been wanted for dealing a Schedule I controlled substance (heroin).

Joseph and Emmanuel Ukonga are brothers.

LaPorte County Metro Operations is a drug task force comprised of narcotics investigators from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and LaPorte Police Department.

The public is encouraged to report potential drug activity by calling (219) 325-9022.

Police are looking for Alexander J. Daher, who is wanted for revocation of a suspended sentence with an original charge of burglary, a Class B felony.

Daher, 27, is about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LaPorte Police at 219-362-9446 or LaPorte County Metro Operations at 219-325-9022.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Honor Guard Deputy Jake Koch renders a salute after posting the American flag at the start of the memorial service.

Information by Mike Kellems, photos by Jon Burger

(Click on photos to enlarge)

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department held its 14th annual Peace Officer Memorial Service on Monday, May 20, 2013. The ceremony, held at the county complex, offers an opportunity for community members and local law enforcement officers to remember the sacrifices made by police officers in the county as well as throughout the nation.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Kellems opened the ceremony and included statistics from the previous year: 120 police officers across the United States died in the line of duty in 2012, a significant drop from the year before. However, 2013 has started out with a higher number of deaths, including a 7% increase in gunfire deaths.

Doug Carter, superintendent of the Indiana State Police, delivered the keynote address. Carter, a native of LaPorte and 1980 graduate of LaPorte High School, shared stories of growing up in LaPorte with a father who was an Indiana State trooper and learning early on the value of public service.

Carter shared his hope with the audience that the remaining memorial frames at state police headquarters would stay empty forever and never have to be used. Yet he sadly acknowledged that statistics tell us a policeman dies every 54 hours in America. He noted that his agency loses an officer every 18 months.

Four New Prairie High School students made a special presentation at the ceremony. Brittney Ryan, Fedy Ruiz, Corey Lambert and Brandon Zehrung chose a legacy project that honors fallen emergency service workers. They raised funds and had a plaque made listing the names and agencies of firefighters and police officers. The students gained permission from the LaPorte County Commission to have the plaque permanently mounted on the wall of the county complex near a memorial for LaPorte County Patrolman Neil Thompson, who was killed in the line of duty in 1980.

LaPorte City Police Cpl. Brian Phillips, who is also a musician, sang the National Anthem and also his signature song, “Why Do Heroes Have To Die?” Phillips has performed the song across Indiana and at the National Memorial Services in Washington, D.C. A video of the song has received almost 100,000 hits on YouTube.

Members of the New Prairie High School Legacy Project, dedicated to honoring fallen emergency workers in LaPorte County, unveil the plaque that was part of their project.

LaPorte native and Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter delivers the keynote address.

LaPorte City Police Cpl. Brian Phillips sings his signature song, “Why Do Heroes Have To Die?”

Cindy Kautz, widow of Long Beach Chief Marshal Jim Kautz, who was killed in the line of duty, stands as her husband’s name is read during the End of Watch Roll Call.

The Michigan City Police Department will hold its annual bike and property auction on Saturday, June 1, starting at 9 a.m. Viewing begins at 8 a.m. The department is located at 102 W. 2nd St.

All items start at $1; no reserve on any items. Cash only.

For more information, contact Sgt. Chris Yagelski at (219) 873-1461 Ext. #333, or Sgt. Tony McClintock at (219) 873-1465 Ext. #328.

Music, food and plenty of family fun are in store at the LaPorte Firefighters Association’s annual “Rock the Park” on July 20 in Fox Park. Proceeds go to great causes (see below)!

All tickets are just $5 for this event (kids under 12 attend for free), which will run from noon to midnight.

The full day will include:

– A full roster of bands. The lineup: 3 p.m., Where’s Johnny?; 5 p.m., High Noon; 7 p.m., Pointin’ Fingers; 9 p.m., Justified.

– A cornhole bags tournament. The cost is $30 per team; cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. Check in between 9-10 a.m.; the tournament begins at 10:15 a.m. Bags and boards will also be available for free play throughout the festival.

– Fun for kids: “Water Wars” games, face painting, Bozo grand prize game, football toss, dunk tank, and more!

– Raffles and 50/50′s.

– A beer/beverage garden, including frozen margaritas and craft beers.

– Food, including LaPorte Firefighters’ BBQ and other vendors’ offerings.

“As we did for last year’s event, we have decided to forgo hiring a solicitor and are handling all fundraising in house,” a LaPorte Firefighters press release states. “This means that 100% of all donations, after expenses, will be going to our charities. We feel we can achieve so much more this way and can greatly increase the amount of support we can offer our charities.

“Last year we were able to award $5,000 in scholarship money to local college students. We were also able to continue to support our local Burn Fund. This special fund helps the victims of fires by providing them with money for temporary lodging and to purchase new clothing. In addition, we were able support the local Red Cross, Relay for Life, and The LaPorte Hospital Foundation’s breast cancer research and detection program. We also continue to support our Survive Alive Program. This program teaches kids about fire safety and what to do in the event of a fire in the home.”

The firefighters are also accepting donations online from anyone who would like to contribute to those causes. Donations of any amount will be printed in a fire safety booklet, copies of which will be given out at the festival for free. If you would like an ad for a business or group in the booklet, a donation of $50 will get you a business card-sized ad, $100 will get you a quarter-page ad, $200 will get you a half-page ad, and $300 gets you a full-page ad. Email musicfest@laportefirefighters.com with the ad you would like placed in the book.

To donate online, click on this link:

http://laportefirefighters.com/Rock%20the%20Park.htm

For more information on Rock the Park, click on the above link, contact the above email or visit the event’s Facebook page at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/429615850463449/

The sounding of some of local emergency management sirens on Friday night, May 24, caused many calls to police and other emergency personnel.

The sirens sounded because of a malfunction that is being addressed, according to Fran Tibbot, LaPorte County Emergency Management director.

Police are looking for Jeannie Sanders, who is wanted for revocation of a suspended sentence for dealing a Schedule II controlled substance, a Class B felony.

Sanders, approximately 23, is 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs 180 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact LaPorte Police at 219-362-9446 or LaPorte County Metro Operations at 219-325-9022.

U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts shakes hands with LaPorte County Sheriff’s Sgt. Derek Allen as Major John Boyd and Sgt. Harlan Williams look on.

Story and photos by Mike Kellems

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

In April 2013 I received a call from John Boyd, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department’s major and third in command. Major Boyd asked if I would be available to assist with the security detail when the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Roberts, came to LaPorte County to deliver the commencement address at his alma mater, La Lumiere School, on May 24, 2013. Recognizing this as a great opportunity to hear a speech by one of the most influential people in the United States, I readily agreed to assist.

A week prior to the event I received my assignment: Escort the Chief Justice from a hotel in New Buffalo, MI, to the La Lumiere campus in rural LaPorte, keep my police car ready to lead in the event of an “emergency egress,” provide crowd control following the graduation ceremony, provide a “loose escort” as the Chief Justice toured the campus, and stand by the headmaster’s house during a luncheon and until the Chief Justice left the area.

I quickly learned that there is an incredible amount of planning for such an event: road closures, standby ambulance and route planning. Having had the opportunity to work details when President Clinton visited Michigan City on two different occasions, I had a good point of reference for the event. Everything is planned down to the minute and there are several contingency plans in place. It came as no surprise when Major Boyd sent out a six-page directive to the officers assigned to this duty.

Friday morning, May 24, arrived and following a last-minute briefing, I headed to the hotel in New Buffalo. Once there I met with one of the agents assigned to the Chief Justice’s Protective Detail. The U.S. Supreme Court has its own police force to protect the Chief Justice.

We set up the vehicles for departure and stood by as we waited for the Chief Justice to exit the hotel. Within short order, we were notified he was on his way. As the Chief Justice exited the doors, he made direct eye contact with me as he walked up, offered his hand and said, “Good morning, Sergeant Kellems, how are you today?” It proved to be one of the rare times I was caught off guard and nearly speechless! It wasn’t hard to figure out that his security detail had told him my name, but just the fact that he made the effort meant a great deal to me. It was interesting later as he delivered his commencement address to the La Lumiere graduates; he spoke specifically about the importance of saying hello to people they meet.

The security detail went off without any issues; a seamless effort brought about by planning and excellent cooperation among deputies from the sheriff’s department, the Supreme Court Protective Detail and the La Lumiere staff.

Our team’s goal was to provide security for the Chief Justice, while at the same time, allowing the focus to be on the ceremony of the day. Judging by the heartfelt thanks and words of appreciation from the Chief Justice as he departed, I’m confident the team accomplished its mission.

MIKE KELLEMS is a sergeant with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office.

Pictured are (from left) LaPorte County Sgt. Harlan Williams, LaPorte County Major John Boyd, U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, LaPorte County Sgt. Derek Allen and LaPorte County Sgt. Mike Kellems.

LaPorte County Major John Boyd (in blue suit coat) discusses security plans with sheriff’s officers during a briefing at La Lumiere.

LaPorte Police are warning residents about a possible door-to-door scammer.

Mickey Stisher, LaPorte High School music director, contacted police May 29, 2013, to tell them of rumors that an alleged “music student” is going door to door to solicit money for a band trip to Florida. Stisher said there is no ongoing solicitation through LPHS, nor is there a planned trip to Florida in the near future.

Police recommend that, as always, residents verify any solicitations with the organization the solicitor claims to be affiliated with. If you want to report a possible scam, call LaPorte Police’s non-emergency number, 362-9446, or LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number, 326-7700.

The LaPorte County DUI Task Force will conduct a sobriety checkpoint on the evening of June 1 at an undisclosed location to detect and arrest drunk and drug-impaired drivers.

The location of the checkpoint is determined based upon crash data, impaired driving arrest data and officer safety.

Motorists will be required to produce their driver’s license and vehicle registration. Task force members will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. Motorists who are not impaired can expect a delay of two minutes or less.

The LaPorte County DUI Task Force is a multi-agency group of police officers from the Michigan City and LaPorte police departments, along with deputies from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, who work to decrease impaired driving. The task force is a grant project funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is administered and monitored by the Indiana Governor’s Council on Impaired and Dangerous Driving.

Vintage beauties rumble down Lincolnway during a past LaPorte Cruise Night. Photo by Dennis Proud (click to enlarge)

Downtown LaPorte’s annual Cruise Night is Saturday, June 8. As classic vehicles cruise along Lincolnway, many downtown businesses will be open to cruise enthusiasts and spectators since the event coincides with 2nd Saturdays.

The LaPorte Police Department is announcing the following parking restrictions, street closures and detours on Cruise Night:

– There will be no parking allowed on Lincolnway from the hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The police department will have signs posted indicating this.

– The following street closures will be in effect from 5:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and detour signage will be in place:

Lincolnway from Adams Street to I Street; J Street from First Street to Sixth Street; K Street from First Street to Ind. 2; Pine Lake Avenue overpass from Kroger Plaza to Lincolnway; the cruise east turnaround of Adams Street from Lincolnway to State Street; State Street from Adams to Linwood; and Linwood from State Street to Lincolnway. Indiana Avenue will also be closed to semi-truck traffic and detoured at Boyd Boulevard.

Police are looking for Glynn Anderson, who is wanted on a charge of escape, a Class D felony, for escaping from work release while serving time for an original charge of burglary, a Class B felony.

Anderson, approximately 24, is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 175 pounds.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the LaPorte Police Department at 219-362-9446 or LaPorte County Metro Operations at 219-325-9022.

If you see a lot of emergency vehicles at Kesling Middle School on Wednesday, June 5, it’s for a good cause. A LaPorte County community emergency drill is scheduled to take place from about 9 to 11:30 a.m.

The exercise, involving entities from both LaPorte and Michigan City, will include emergency response agencies, the LaPorte Community School Corporation, IU Health LaPorte Hospital, St. Anthony Hospital, the American Red Cross, and the LaPorte County Emergency Management Agency.

The drill will originate at two LaPorte County locations: Kesling Middle School in LaPorte and St. Anthony Hospital in Michigan City.

This annual exercise is designed to give school, health and emergency personnel an opportunity to test community plans in the event of an emergency.

During its 2013 17-day Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement campaign, the LaPorte Police Department issued 201 citations and 168 warnings. Of the citations, 145 were issued for seat belt violations; two for child restraint violations; 21 for speeding; and 27 for various other offenses. Officers also made four arrests for possession of marijuana and one arrest for possession of paraphernalia, and issued one summons for possession of paraphernalia. A total of 40 grams of marijuana was seized.

“The annual Click it or Ticket mobilization may be over in LaPorte, but that is no excuse to stop using your seat belt,” said Captain Tom Heath. “Our law enforcement officers are out all year long. If you or your passengers are caught not wearing a seat belt at any time, day or night, you will be cited for the safety violation.”

According to the latest preliminary statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 86 percent of passenger vehicle occupants across the nation in 2012 were wearing seat belts — an all-time high rate.

High-visibility enforcement such as the Click It or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 percent in 1994 to an estimated 86 percent in 2012.

For more on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization, visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Ethan Day, 20, of LaPorte, and a 17-year-old Dyer, IN, girl were found dead in a home in the 500 block of East Lincolnway Tuesday evening, June 4, 2013.

“At this point in time, the causes of these deaths and the circumstances surrounding these deaths are still under investigation by the LaPorte County Coroner’s Office and the LaPorte Police Department’s Detective Bureau,” according to a LaPorte Police press release. “The second victim’s name is not being released due to the fact that she was less than 18 years old. There is no additional information to report at this point. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to believe that there is any ongoing danger to the public as a whole.”

LaPorte Police, the LaPorte Fire Department and LaPorte County EMS were dispatched to the home at 6:41 p.m. The victims had been discovered by Day’s father, who then immediately called emergency services. The LaPorte County coroner also responded.