UPDATE: Bus driver credited with saving lives: http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/bus-driver-credited-with-saving-lives/article_cd1eb00b-8074-53d9-8d9a-32fc3067e3be.html

PHOTO AND INFO BY MIKE KELLEMS

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

One man was killed and at least 15 people were injured when a Royal Excursion tour bus and a pickup truck collided at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at County Road 450 East and U.S. 20.

The deceased person, identified as John Kallock, 36, of Griffith, IN, reportedly lost control of his truck and slid head-on into the bus.

The bus was carrying around 50 patrons of the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, MI.

 At least 15 bus passengers were hurt, reportedly not seriously, and were taken to IU Health LaPorte Hospital and South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Some 19 emergency personnel, including fire departments, ambulances, police and coroner, responded.

A New Prairie Schools bus was called to provide shelter to the 24 passengers who were not injured; they were transported to New Prairie High School, then transferred to another Royal Excursion bus.

The Kankakee Township Volunteer Fire Department requested mutual aid from Center and Springfield townships fire department.

Emergency personnel stand near a crushed pickup truck that collided with a bus.

Police are looking for John Kampf, who is wanted through LaPorte Circuit Court on two counts of burglary, Class C felonies.

Kampf, approximately 44, is 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs 160 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.

LaPorte City Police reported that a local woman was the victim of the following scam on Jan. 18, 2014:

“The victim told police she recently purchased a new Dell laptop computer and on Saturday evening, Jan. 18, she received a call on her cell phone. The male caller identified himself as “Mark Williams” and sounded like he had a foreign accent. The suspect told the victim that he was calling from Dell and informed her that her new computer had been hacked and that he was going to help her.

“The suspect instructed the victim to go to (the website) SHOWMYPC.com, which she did. The suspect confirmed the victim’s name and email address, which he already knew. Once he did this, he then had remote access over her computer and she was no longer controlling it.

“The suspect brought up an 8-digit number, which he had the victim read back. He advised her that 80% of her computer had been hacked, but that he was able to fix it for the next 15 years. He then told her she now had to pay him $99 for the service.

“The victim became suspicious and told him she was not paying him any money at this time and would call him back. The suspect was insistent that the victim pay him immediately.

“There was a message box on the computer screen which listed the suspect’s name, ID number and phone number, which she confirmed with him before she hung up. When she called the phone number, it came back as a sex hotline.

“The victim then called the Dell computer hotline and explained the incident to them. They advised her she had been the victim of a scam and her new computer had now been compromised. They advised her they would be sending her a new computer at no cost and to contact police. They advised her it was most likely an international scam.

“The victim was advised to contact her banking institutions to notify them of the incident and to contact the three major credit reporting bureaus to establish identity theft protection.”

Police advised the following steps to avoid scams:

– Never give out personal information over the phone or allow anyone access to your computer or records.

– Always be wary of unsolicited contacts over the phone, on your computer or door-to-door.

– Before agreeing to any transaction, always ask for ID and contact the company the subject claims to be affiliated with at a legitimate phone number that YOU have researched — NOT the one they provide.

A huge contingent of firefighters from several departments worked over two hours to free the person pinned in a vehicle next to the red semi tractor… once the victim was removed he was flown, conscious and alert, by helicopter to a trauma center.

Emergency workers help one of the “walking wounded” to a waiting bus.

PHOTOS AND INFORMATION BY MIKE KELLEMS

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

UPDATE FRIDAY MORNING, JAN. 24: Jerry Dalrymple, 66, whose primary home was in Chicago, was killed in the wreck along with his dog while on the way to his second home on Stone Lake in LaPorte. For the story, click on this Northwest Indiana Times link:

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/illinois/chicago/chicago-man-killed-in-i–crash-inspired-many/article_23c16197-42f0-5c78-b735-732a1d8dfb1e.html

Three people and a dog were killed and some 30 were hurt in a massive pileup on I-94 near Michigan City Thursday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2014. The pileup involved more than 40 vehicles, including 19 semis, and happened during heavy lake-effect snow and whiteout conditions. In one case,  emergency personnel worked for more than two hours to extricate one driver, who, amazingly, was alert and conscious when pulled from his wrecked vehicle. He was transported by medical helicopter to a trauma center.

The photos taken by LaPorte County Sheriff’s Captain Mike Kellems at the scene show an army of emergency workers from many departments rescuing and assisting those trapped and hurt. Many rescuers told media sources that they had never seen anything like the scene of the massive pileup.

LaPorte County Coroner John Sullivan told WGN-TV at 9 p.m. Thursday that all crash victims had been removed and accounted for. He said the deceased were a man from Chicago and a couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Chicago man’s dog also reportedly died in the crash.

Besides the pileup aftermath and the snow, victims and emergency workers had to deal with frigid temperatures hovering around zero, making hypothermia a threat.

LaPorte Community Schools had a bus at the scene that was transporting numerous “walking wounded” to hospitals. Most of the wounded were taken to IU Health LaPorte Hospital and St. Anthony in Michigan City.

A decimated car.

The top of this vehicle, pinned between a semi and another vehicle, was cut off to remove a victim. 

This powerful “Jaws of Life” cutting tool became stuck on a piece of roof that was removed from a vehicle.

Just two of the dozens of vehicles involved.

A LaPorte school bus stands by to transport “walking wounded” to hospitals.

The scene from the CR 400 N bridge looking west on Thursday evening.

Emergency workers direct ambulances to aid the wounded.

Another of the many crumpled vehicles.

A county patrolman is stationed in his squad car on Johnson Road at CR-400W Friday afternoon to tell motorists that Johnson Road is closed.

PHOTOS BY BOB WELLINSKI

(CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office announced at about 12:30 today, Friday, Jan. 24, that the entire length of Johnson Road is closed until further notice because of blowing and drifting snow. Small Road was also closed later in the day, and parts of both East and West Ind. 2 in LaPorte County were closed or nearly impassable.

Snow is blowing and drifting heavily, and all roads are slick and snow-covered. Gusty winds are expected to continue into Saturday and more snow is predicted.

And at about 1:30 p.m. Friday, the LaPorte County Commissioners issued a Travel Watch for the entire county. A Travel Watch means conditions are threatening to the safety of the public and only essential travel, such as to and from work or in emergency situations, is recommended. The Travel Watch encourages businesses, schools and other organizations to implement emergency action plans.

The sheriff’s office reported numerous crashes and slide-offs Friday.

LaPorte or Siberia? Hard to tell from this scene shot Friday on CR-150N.

Even going to the mailbox can be quite a journey in frigid temps and blowing snow. This woman braved the elements on CR-400W Friday.

A motorist battles drifting snow on CR-150N Friday.

Just a few of the dozens of emergency workers from many LaPorte County departments working in tandem at the I-94 mass accident. (Click to enlarge)

STORY AND PHOTO BY MIKE KELLEMS

On Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014, as I was leaving work, I heard the call go out over the radio for a multi-vehicle crash on I-94. As I made my way home, the 911 Center called and asked if I could arrange for a school bus to head to the scene; we were quickly learning that

Mike Kellems

the crash was bad — very bad. A few phone calls later, Bus #13, driven by Gail Cains, was on the way.

To access the scene, we drove west in the eastbound lanes of I-94 for about 4 miles. When I arrived I could not believe the scene; two words came to mind: “utter devastation.” In 27 years of law enforcement, the closest I’ve been to that was a plane crash in Mill Creek several years ago where five people were killed. I’m not even sure that can compare.

We were directed by LaPorte County EMS Supervisor Andrew McGuire to take the bus around to the westbound lanes and prepare to take on crash victims designated as “walking wounded.” At this point it was roughly 4 p.m., and once the bus began taking on crash victims, I began making my way around the crash site. I would estimate there were 100 emergency services workers at the scene. All were working in concert with each other, doing what they could to bring stability to the chaos. My first guess was a dozen semis and a dozen cars involved; I quickly learned the number was double that.

We learned the basic facts: three killed, 30 injured, 46 vehicles involved, Interstate closed for hours.

Hours later, back at home as I lay in bed, I thought about what the media missed. I don’t think it’s because they don’t care; I think it’s because this part of the story wasn’t as glamorous or exciting. To me, after a lifetime of working in emergency service, I believe this is the real story:

From Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Williams, the scene’s officer in command, to Mick Pawlik, the fire chief leading the rescue efforts, to Gail Cains, the LaPorte schools bus driver, and Samuel Brown, the 19-year-old who shoveled the sidewalks clean at Saint Anthony Hospital, and everyone in between, dozens and dozens of people came to the rescue that day.

Fran Tibbot, our LaPorte County emergency management director, sprang into action and worked with the Red Cross to help support the operations. Scores of Michigan City Police and firefighters, both volunteer and municipal, rushed to the scene to lend aid where needed. The sheriff’s deputies blocked roads to prevent further crashes.

Sheriff’s Deputy Donald Hicks, assigned to Post Command that day, answered hundreds of calls from people seeking information. One of those calls was from the daughter of Jerry Dalrymple. He was one of the victims that died at the scene — a Chicagoan on his way to his second home on Stone Lake in LaPorte.

Gail Cains, the LaPorte school bus driver? I’m confident that she has never trained, nor has she ever expected, to spend her evening transporting wounded to LaPorte Hospital.

When the bus arrived at the emergency room, I was helping one of the wounded through the doors. I looked inside the hallways to see at least 30 hospital staff, standing at the ready.

Let’s think about our volunteer firefighters. I’d say more than two dozen came to the scene. They dropped everything they were doing and rushed into what could only be described as hell on the Interstate. They spent the next several hours in freezing temperatures, extricating victims. One rescue took more than two hours to complete. Extrication tools broke in the middle of the efforts — it was that cold.

Imagine what the human body was going through. Imagine what the volunteers faced when they arrived. Take a moment to consider what the paramedics, police officers, tow truck drivers, Red Cross volunteers and firefighters witnessed that day.

My heart goes out to those injured and the families who suffered the loss of loved ones. But in that same emotional vein, my heart is strengthened when I think about all the people who came together to do one “simple” task: to help.

I take a lot of pride in being a police officer, never more so than on days like that day. Already I’ve met people, when they learn where I’m from, say “Oh, that is where the bad crash happened.” When I hear that, when I think about that day, I stand a little taller, I square my shoulders a little more, and I’m grateful for the awesome way in which so many in LaPorte County and our surrounding communities came together to make the world just a little better that day.

I hope that one day the families who suffered a loss come to know that their loved ones were surrounded by 100 or more of the best, most loyal and dedicated emergency services workers there are. I hope that brings them a small measure of comfort.

MIKE KELLEMS is a LaPorte County Sheriff’s captain and a member of the LaPorte School Board.

A LaPorte boy underwent surgery after being shot in the eye with a BB gun on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, at his home.

LaPorte Police reported that the boy, 10, and two friends were in the boy’s bedroom in the 500 block of Park Street when his mother heard him scream. She went to find him face down on his bed; his left eye deflated because of the BB wound.

His mother drove him to LaPorte Hospital, where police were notified. He was later transferred to another hospital for eye surgery.

Police are still investigating.

recentlybusted.com photo

Just two days after the LaPorte School Board officially accepted his sudden retirement request, former LaPorte schools Interim Superintendent Rande Thorpe was arrested on a gaming charge in Mississippi.

The arrest appeared on the website of the Tunica County, MS, sheriff’s office, and also appears on the arrest site “recentlybusted.com” (http://arrests.me/rande-thorpe/)

The booking information from the sheriff’s office website states: “Rande Thorpe, 57, arrested Jan. 22, 2014, by Tunica County, Mississippi Sheriff’s Department and charged with gaming violation.” WNLP has not obtained the entire police report.

For more information on his arrest, click on the following Northwest Indiana Times link:

http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/city-of-laporte/former-laporte-superintendent-arrested-on-gambling-charge/article_d079a9fd-ff17-5b3a-9228-e911aa561ab4.html

Thorpe served as interim superintendent of LaPorte schools from July 2013 until this January. Prior to that he was chief financial officer for LaPorte schools for about five years. He was named interim superintendent when Glade Montgomery resigned to take another job in July. Thorpe was presumably in line to be named superintendent when he abruptly retired. He cited family reasons for retiring.

The LaPorte School Board is in the process of finding another interim superintendent.

Sgt. Al Ott, accompanied by his wife Jami, signs candidacy papers at the LaPorte County Clerk’s Office. (Photo provided)

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Sgt. Al Ott officially entered the race for sheriff on Jan. 31, 2014, at the LaPorte County Courthouse. Ott will be on the Democratic ballot in the county primary election, which will be held May 6, 2014.

Ott stated in a press release that he has two primary goals:

– Address the drug problem in LaPorte County

– Bring back civility within the sheriff’s department

“We need to approach the drug issue by increasing the number of officers in the Metro unit,” Ott said. “No additional county funding is needed; we need to take a look at each department and see where officers need to be utilized the most. Can we eliminate the drug problem? No. But we can certainly make it more difficult for dealers to distribute their drugs in LaPorte County. We need to become proactive instead of reactive.

“Communication is key. Currently, there is a lack of communication within our department, with outside police agencies, with local government officials, and with the community. It’s past time to return to civility between government agencies, between our department members, and between our department and the public we serve. We have to work together as a community and this requires a sheriff who is approachable and willing to work with both sides of the table to improve the safety of the citizens of LaPorte County. We need professional law enforcement delivered with respect and civility, strengthened by education, training and high standards,” Ott said.

Ott is a lifelong resident of LaPorte County. He and his wife of 16 years, Jami (Van Slyke), have two daughters, Riley and Ryin. Ott is a 10-year LaPorte County 4-H member and continuing supporter. He is a 1994 graduate of Ball State University.

Ott worked as a LaPorte County Jail officer from 1994-1997. He graduated with honors from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 1998 and was hired by former LaPorte County Sheriff Bob Blair as a patrolman. In 2000 he was assigned to the Detective Bureau, where he worked for 11 years. During this time he was appointed to the Juvenile Advisory Board. In 2011 he was promoted to sergeant, where he currently supervises the midnight shift.

Ott is a firearms instructor for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, IN, as well as at the sheriff’s department. He is a 10-year member of the Governor’s Top Twenty in the IPFTA and a 9-year participant in the National Police Shooting Championships. He has volunteered as a coach for numerous years for the LaPorte YMCA, and has volunteered since 2006 for the LaPorte Community School Corporation at Kingsbury School, discussing safety issues in his daughters’ classrooms. He is a member of LaPorte Moose Lodge 492.

Ott was nominated Policeman of the Year by VFW Post 9423 in November 2013. He has 20 years of service with the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department.

“This is my community; it has been my entire life,” Ott said. “Our problems are my problems and I make only one promise to the people of LaPorte County: I will do my best and never violate their trust and confidence if elected.”

Michael Elliot (LaPorte County Jail mugshot)

UPDATE FEB. 4: Elliot appears in LaPorte court; refuses to waive extradition to Michigan. WSBT story:

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/captured-convicted-killer-refuses-to-waive-extradition-back-to-michigan/24293044

A convicted quadruple murderer who escaped Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, from a Michigan prison, then took a hostage in Shipshewana, IN, the morning of Monday, Feb. 3, was captured by LaPorte County officers later on Feb. 3.

Michael David Elliot was being held without bond Monday evening in the LaPorte County Jail.

In the capture part of the story, LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies were alerted shortly after 5 p.m. Monday about a vehicle that had just been stolen from Aero Metals on Darlington Street in LaPorte. The vehicle was identified as a black 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. According to WSBT-TV, the owner of the Monte Carlo had started the vehicle and let it idle unattended. He came back outside a few minutes later to see his car backing out of a parking space and heading south.

Within moments of the dispatch, Deputy Slawek Czupryna saw the vehicle traveling south on Boyd Boulevard. Czupryna tried to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver refused to stop and led deputies on a pursuit into rural LaPorte County.

At 5:28 p.m., stop sticks were deployed, which disabled the car near Rolling Prairie at county roads 150 North and 250 East. As Elliot tried to run from the car, he was taken into custody. There were no injuries.

Elliot, 40, had escaped from the Ionia Correctional Facility in Michigan after scraping holes in two fences. He carjacked the woman in Shipshewana but she was able to escape into a gas station restroom when he stopped for gas in Middlebury.

According to medial reports, Elliot had been sentenced to life in prison for killing four people in Gladwin County, MI, and burning down their house in 1993. Elliot and accomplices were reportedly trying to steal money from a drug dealer.

LaPorte County Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer credited Czupryna’s eagle eye for spotting the stolen vehicle. He also credited deputies who were able to take Elliot into custody without injury to the public, the suspect or themselves.

For more details on Elliot’s escape, click on the following WSBT-TV link:

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/police-after-escape-convicted-killer-last-seen-in-elkhart-co/24252420

A LaPorte woman died after her car struck a NIPSCO truck on Johnson Road near County Road 350 North on Monday, Feb. 3, 2014.

Beverly Timm, 63, died at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital in Michigan City shortly after the accident. The truck driver, Joseph Stewart, 54, of LaPorte, was not seriously injured.

Timm’s 2011 Nissan Versa crossed the center line and struck the truck head on, Stewart told LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Police said the snow-covered road was likely a factor.

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office announced that missing county resident Robert Allen “Bob” Kindig, 82, was located in Porter County several hours after being reported missing on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014. Indiana State Police and Porter County sheriff’s deputies located Kindig at about 10 p.m. at a gas station on U.S. 20. He was safe and healthy and was being returned to his family.

The sheriff’s office issued a press release earlier on Feb. 6 asking for the public’s assistance in locating Kindig, who has been diagnosed with dementia and had not been seen since approximately 5:45 p.m. Thursday evening. He lives in the 5900 West block of Schultz Road in rural LaPorte County.

Mr. Kindig left his home on the evening of Feb. 6 to go to his weekly bowling league at Casey’s Lanes in LaPorte, but he never arrived. At approximately 7:20 p.m., his family reported him missing.

The sheriff’s office entered Kindig into the Indiana Fusion and Intelligence Center as a missing and endangered adult. A Silver Alert was also broadcast.

Strieter

Three LaPorte residents were arrested on drug charges Feb. 10 and 11, 2014, according to a press release from the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office and LaPorte County Metro Operations Unit.

Arrested were:

Arnett

– Phil A. Strieter, 35, of David Court, on a charge of dealing heroin;

– Kristen Arnett, 29, of Wardner Street, on a charge of dealing prescription drugs;

– Curtis Maupin, 25, on a charge of dealing marijuana, a Class C felony.

Strieter and Arnett were arrested at their homes without incident, police said. Maupin was in LaPorte County Jail at the time of his arrest, serving time for previous charges of possession of marijuana, invasion of privacy and driving while suspended. He has since been released after posting $1,500 bond.

Strieter and Arnett were being held at the jail on $25,000 bond each.

Maupin

Additional arrests are anticipated, police said. To report suspected drug activity, call Metro Operations at (219) 325-9022.

Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer (far left) and Chief Deputy James Sosinski (far right) stand with awardees (second from left, on) Jeff Wright, Andy Hynek, Harlan Williams and Slawek Czyupryna. (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

When word came on Feb. 3, 2014, that Michigan prison escapee and convicted killer of four David Elliot was last seen in northern Indiana, it probably crossed a lot of locals’ minds: “Could he be in LaPorte County?”

He could, and he was.

After taking a woman hostage in Michigan (she later escaped unharmed in Elkhart), Elliot made his way to LaPorte. But thanks to an eagle-eye deputy and others who helped in the capture, it was in LaPorte County where he was recaptured.

LaPorte County sheriff’s deputies were alerted shortly after 5 p.m. Feb. 3 that a vehicle had just been stolen from Aero Metals on Darlington Street in LaPorte. The vehicle was identified as a black 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The car’s owner had started the vehicle and left it idling unattended. He came back outside a few minutes later to see his car backing out of a parking space and heading south.

Within moments of the dispatch, county Deputy Slawek Czupryna saw the car traveling south on Boyd Boulevard. Czupryna tried to make a traffic stop, but the driver kept going and led deputies on a pursuit into rural LaPorte County.

At 5:28 p.m. deputies deployed stop sticks, which disabled the car near Rolling Prairie at county roads 150 North and 250 East. As Elliot tried to run from the car, he was taken into custody.

On Feb. 13, the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department Merit Board and Sheriff Mike Mollenhauer presented Czupryna, Det. Jeff Wright, Sgt. Harlan Williams and Det. Sgt. Andy Hynek with certificates of appreciation for their work in apprehending Elliot.

Mollenhauer added that Gov. Mike Pence presented Czupryna with an Indiana Heroes Award.

In an unrelated incident, Pence also recognized Hynek for his part in assisting a stranded citizen who was in labor during a snowstorm in January.

Thirty-six people were arrested on outstanding warrants in LaPorte County on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in a sweep dubbed “Operation Heartbreak.” Local, state and federal officers participated in the crackdown.

The warrant sweep was organized with the assistance of the newly formed Fugitive Apprehension Street Team (FAST), whose job is locating, investigating and serving active warrants throughout the community. Among departments participating: Michigan City Police, Long Beach Police, Trail Creek Police, Westville Police, LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, U.S. Marshal’s Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, and LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office.

Those arrested:

– Wendell Barnes Jr., 32, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class B felony

– Antonne Barron, 45, Michigan City, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Allen Biggers Jr., 20, Michigan City, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Deandre Burnett, 34, Michigan City, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Megan Coffey, 23, LaPorte, false informing, Class A misdemeanor

– Verleen Corley (Simmons), 41, Michigan City, dealing cocaine, Class A felony

– Kevin Crabb, 27, LaPorte County Jail, dealing cocaine, Class B felony

– Carol Daniels, 66, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Amanda Doolin, 33, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Mario Ellis II, 20, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Joshua Ferrell, 23, LaPorte County Jail, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Candace Finney, 54, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Zachary Granzo, 23, Michigan City, dealing heroin, Class B felony

– George Grattenthaler, 21, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Trinaston Hart, 30, Michigan City, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Michael Husiar, 53, LaPorte, neglect of a dependent, Class C felony

– Ledon Jordan, 25, LaPorte County Jail, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Devan Kloss, 24, Indiana DOC, dealing cocaine, Class A felony

– Stephanie Long, 39, Michigan City, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Jared Marshall, 35, LaPorte, dealing heroin, Class A felony

– Eric Mathena, 22, Michigan City, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Anttwon Merriweather, 36, Michigan City, possession of marijuana, Class A misdemeanor

– Glenn Merriweather, 27, Michigan City, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Quonzee Merriweather, 20, Michigan City, dealing cocaine, Class A felony

– Stephanie Newberry, 25, LaPorte County Jail, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– George Page, 62, Michigan City, dealing cocaine, Class A felony

– Blair Phillips, 21, Michigan City, dealing heroin, Class B felony

– Thorn Robbins, 24, LaPorte, obstruction of justice, Class D felony

– Tyler Schuette, 21, Walkerton, dealing a controlled substance, Class A felony

– Crystal Sheets, 31, Michigan City, dealing cocaine, Class B felony

– Victoria Shelly, 32, Michigan City, FTA for driving while suspended, Class A misdemeanor

– Henry Tiggs Jr., 36, Michigan City, dealing cocaine, Class A felony

– Christian Ungrodt, 28, LaPorte, dealing marijuana, Class C felony

– Erick White, 39, Michigan City, FTA for operating while intoxicated, Class A misdemeanor

– Dylan Yanke, 24, Millard County Jail, Utah, dealing heroin, Class A felony

– Daniel Young, 27, Michigan City, FTA for driving while suspended, Class A misdemeanor

Anyone with information on criminal activity or the location of wanted fugitives is asked to call the Michigan City Police Crime Tip Hotline at 219-873-1488 or LaPorte County Metro Operations at 219-325-9022. Individuals can remain anonymous.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Major John Boyd said in a press release that if elected, he will change the manner in which warrants are handled.

Boyd is running for sheriff on the Republican ballot. The primary election is May 6 and the general election is Nov. 4.

The sheriff’s office currently holds more than 6,000 warrants, Boyd said, with no current plan to address the high number.

“The warrants being held by the sheriff’s office range from criminal felony and misdemeanor warrants to body attachments that have been issued by LaPorte County courts regarding civil judgments,” Boyd said. “Each month the sheriff’s office receives more warrants from our courts than are served and it is due in large part to the inefficient use of manpower within the Warrants Division. Currently, the Warrants Division is comprised of one officer with the rank of captain and two deputies. This three-man unit spends the vast majority of each day transporting wanted persons who were captured in other jurisdictions back to LaPorte County. The remainder of the day is spent conducting warrant computer entry.

“The fact that more than 6,000 defendants remain at large and unaccounted for is unacceptable. However, there are several solutions to this problem. Civilian clerks should be conducting this warrant data entry, rather than deputies, who should be out seeking wanted fugitives. In-state extraditions could be handled by jail deputies driving jail vans, thus freeing our warrant deputies to more effectively seek out those who are wanted. Warrant deputies travel approximately 35,000 miles each year conducting these transports, and in most cases, these in-state transports could be handled as effectively by jail deputies, as is done in many other counties in Indiana.

“The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office currently serves as the repository for nearly every warrant issued in LaPorte County. As sheriff, I will work with law enforcement agencies in LaPorte County to address this issue. In addition, I will seek the assistance of the U.S. Marshal’s Service and join forces with its Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force to reduce our large number of criminal warrants. Other mechanisms to reduce our inordinate amount of warrants could include a joint effort between courts and prosecution to offer limited amnesty concerning reduced bond for non-violent offenders who surrender themselves in a prescribed amount of time. We have witnessed a substantially reduced number of crimes committed in the period following warrant sweeps in LaPorte County, and that is due to the fact that these offenders cannot re-offend if incarcerated.

“Criminal warrants are issued by courts near the conclusion of criminal investigations. We owe it to the citizens of LaPorte County to complete each case by making arrests and bringing suspects to justice. In many cases, the failure to seek out these suspects in a timely and efficient manner is justice delayed.”

Boyd has been a member of the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office since 1990. He previously held the ranks of deputy, sergeant and captain, as well as chief of detectives, and is now third in command with the rank of major. He is a 1988 graduate of Purdue University and a 1989 graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

LaPorte County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Jim Sosinski is making it official that he will seek the Democratic nomination for the office of sheriff.

The primary election is May 6 and the general election is Nov. 4.

Sosinski said in a press release that since he filed exploratory committee paperwork in June 2013, he has received overwhelming support and is excited and very humbled by the faith that people have expressed in him.

Sosinski grew up on the west side of Michigan City and is a lifelong resident of the Michigan City area, currently living in Coolspring Township. He graduated from Michigan City Rogers High School in 1974. He and his wife Lois have been married for 36 years. They have two children, Ryan, 22, and Laura, 17. He is a graduate of Leadership LaPorte County and a member of Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, Michigan City Lions Club and St. Joe Club.

Sosinski has been with the sheriff’s office for 32 years. He started as a jail officer under former Sheriff Jan Rose, now deceased. He was then promoted to patrol officer and graduated with honors from the 82nd session of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, finishing with a ranking of 3rd in his class. He was promoted to sergeant under former Sheriff Jim Arnold and tasked with heading the Warrants Division. He made quality improvements in policies and procedures which increased accountability of the tracking of warrants, which led to reduced liability for the department. Sosinski later earned the rank of captain and is currently Sheriff Mollenhauer’s chief deputy.

Mollenhauer said of Sosinski: “When I was elected sheriff in 2006, I was tasked with the decision to choose a person who I could trust to be second in command of the entire LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department. The decision for me was easy and clear that the officer I would choose was the person I knew to have high moral character, integrity, honesty, fairness, and the status of a true professional law enforcement officer. It was then, and remains today, to be Chief Deputy Jim Sosinski. Jim and I worked together for many years under my shift command. This is the man I could always rely on to get the job done and be a true man of his word. Jim Sosinski is the only person with the leadership ability and years of experience to continue to lead this department in the right direction. For these reasons, without any hesitation, I endorse Chief Deputy Jim Sosinski to be the next sheriff for LaPorte County.”

Sosinski said: “I will always place God first and pray for wisdom to fulfill my duties. I stand ready to enforce the laws of the State of Indiana and to protect and serve the citizens of LaPorte County. As your sheriff, I pledge to be a person who is approachable by all and will listen to your concerns. I have worked under five sheriffs and have learned something from each. I will never accept failure of myself or of my office. I will make no excuses and I will never quit. I will not allow politics from keeping me from doing the right thing for the right reasons.

“I will continue to build on the cooperation and great relationships we currently enjoy with all law enforcement agencies within and out of our county. We all share the same goals and can achieve so much more when we work as one in the spirit of cooperation, which benefits all of our citizens. Crime has no boundaries. The drug problem continues to be an issue in LaPorte County. I vow to continue to seek out those who peddle this poison that ruins so many lives. I also believe we can utilize some of our social service agencies better to assist with the drug problem and many other issues. With law enforcement and our social service agencies working together, we can combat the problems at the root causes in an effort to prevent crime. An example of one of those agencies is Dunebrook, which provides many intervention and prevention programs in child abuse and helps parents in their parenting skills. I believe that many of our problems come from the complete breakdown of our family units. Peace in the home equates to peace in the community.

“I hope to earn your trust by continually delivering on my belief in respect, fairness and honesty to all those I serve and work with. I ask for your support for a better LaPorte County.”

A rural Michigan City man was killed when his car collided with a semi at U.S. 20 and U.S. 35 Monday morning, Feb. 24, 2014.

Javier Florez, 28, was identified Monday afternoon as the Saturn driver who reportedly pulled into the intersection from the south on 35 and entered the path of the semi, which was eastbound on 20, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. The car and the semi then crossed the median and struck a guard rail along the westbound lanes of 20. A steel coil rolled off the semi trailer. The intersection was closed for some time after the 9:35 a.m. accident.

The car’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene by a LaPorte County Coroner’s Office official.

The semi driver, identified as Ivan Hickmott, 79, of Watervliet MI, was apparently not injured.

Besides county police and the coroner’s office, other responding emergency units included LaPorte County EMS, Springfield Township Volunteer Fire Department, and Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division.

Twenty-seven years ago this week, 10-year-old Linda Weldy of LaPorte disappeared. She was reported missing on Feb. 24, 1987, and was found dead March 17 of that same year.

Like the 1993 “cold case” murder of LaPorte teen Rayna Rison that resulted in an arrest in 2013, authorities and others hope new evidence will surface in the Linda Weldy killing.

Linda got off her LaPorte Community School Corp. bus at about 3:30 p.m. Feb. 24, 1987, near her home on McClung Road, but apparently did not get to her house. Her mother reported her missing later that evening. Her body was discovered over two weeks later on an abandoned railroad right-of-way near County Road 500 South near Kingsbury. Police conducted interviews at the time, but no arrests were made.

“The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office believes that this case is solvable and potential witnesses exist who could assist in bringing this case to resolution and the killer(s) to justice,” a sheriff’s office press release states. Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Sgt. Ron Heeg at 326-7700 ext. 2335 or Det. Adam Hannon at 326-7700 ext. 2405.

To view a 2013 WSBT-TV story on the Linda Weldy “cold case,” click on the following link:

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/the-kidnapping-and-murder-of-10yearold-linda-weldy/22907088

LaPorte Police reportedly talked a man down from the LaPorte overpass on Monday night, Feb. 24, 2014, after he threatened to jump.

Police got the call at about 9:15 p.m. that the man, 23, was getting ready to jump. After arriving police learned the man was despondent over personal issues. He was sitting on the exterior concrete railing with his legs hanging over the edge, eventually placing his whole body over the other side, balancing on the outer edge.

After nearly two hours of negotiation with police officers in the freezing temperatures, the man allowed officers to assist him back over the railing and surrendered without incident, according to a police report. He was transported to the hospital by LaPorte County EMS.