A pair of months-long drug investigation by the Starke County Sheriff’s Office resulted in a total of five arrests, the discovery of crystal meth with a street value of more than $23,000 and a homemade bomb in Koontz Lake Thursday.

Officers from multiple agencies served warrants at two separate residences in the 7000 block of Frost Lane in Walkerton around 9 a.m. , according to news releases from the sheriff’s office. They reportedly found 234 grams of crystal meth, marijuana, paraphernalia, other unspecified drugs, ammunition and $400 in cash at a home occupied by 46-year-old Troy Bell and 31-year-old Natasha Bell, both of Walkerton. They face charges of dealing and possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule 4 drug, possession of paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance. K-9 Terror assisted with that search.

While serving the second warrant, officers found a homemade bomb, methamphetamine, paraphernalia and precursors. Officers from the Porter County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad and Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team were called in to assist. Officers arrested 21-year-old Thomas McEndarfer and 24-year-old Hillary Robinson, both of Walkerton, on charges of dealing and possession of methamphetamine, possession of a destructive device, possession marijuana, paraphernalia and an illegal drug lab and maintaining a common nuisance. Corey Scott, 21, of Walkerton, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance.

The Knox, Hamlet and Indiana State Police assisted the Starke County Sheriff’s Office with the service of both warrants.

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The Knox Police Department and Indiana Department of Child Services are teaming up to raise awareness of drug abuse issues in the community.

They’re hosting a community program Monday evening at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox at 6 p.m.

It will address drug recognition, physical signs of drug abuse and treatment programs available within the community.

Police Chief Harold Smith says members will have a chance to interact with members of various agencies tasked with dealing with the drug abuse problem.

April is child abuse prevention month, and officials say drugs play a major role in most child abuse cases. Several community organizations will also have booths set up at the community center Monday evening to share information about mental health and domestic violence resources as well.

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An investigation by the Knox Police Department into reports of illegal drug activity culminated in the arrests of three Knox residents yesterday. City officers and members of the Starke County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in the 1200 block of East Culver Road, according to Police Chief Harold Smith. They found methamphetamine, syringes and other narcotics and narcotic-related paraphernalia, according to the incident report.

Teresa Scutchfield, 45, faces felony charges of possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a common nuisance, as well as a misdemeanor offense of possession of a legend drug. Sarah Scutchfied, 23, and Elijah Fugate, 25, both face felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a narcotic drug and maintaining a common nuisance along with a misdemeanor charge of possession of a Schedule III narcotic.

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A Knox man is jailed on child molestation charges following an investigation by the Knox Police Department. Officers got a tip on Sunday, April 17 that 33-year-old Matthew Elias Johnson was involved in a two-month-long relationship with an elementary school-aged female. During the investigation, officers reportedly discovered the relationship between Johnson and the child was sexual in nature. He spoke to officers about the incident and was arrested.

Johnson has been formally charged with three counts of child molesting as a Level 1 felony, each of which carry a penalty of between 20 and 40 years in prison, and one count of child molesting as a Level 3 felony, which is punishable by between three and 16 years in prison. He remains in the Starke County Jail.

Authorities say this is an ongoing investigation, and additional details are expected at a later date.

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The Knox Police Department and Indiana Department of Child Services are teaming up to raise awareness of drug abuse issues in the community.

They’re hosting a free community program at 6 p.m. tonight at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. It will address drug recognition, physical signs of drug abuse and treatment programs available within the community.

Police Chief Harold Smith says residents will have a chance to interact with members of various agencies tasked with dealing with the drug abuse problem.

April is child abuse prevention month, and officials say drugs play a major role in most child abuse cases. Several community organizations will also have booths set up at the community center this evening to share information about mental health and domestic violence resources.

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Seemingly innocent items like plastic baggies and aluminum foil may actually be signs someone is using methamphetamine. Detective Dave Combs with the Knox Police Department says sandwich baggies with missing corners raise his suspicions, as meth is typically carried in the corner of a sandwich bag. Combs says meth users also carry pieces of aluminum foil. They fold it and put meth on it, then heat the bottom with a lighter and smoke it through a hollow ink pen. He adds 90 percent of methamphetamine used in this area is smoked.

Combs encourages anyone who suspects a loved one is using methamphetamine to get them help to overcome their addiction.

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Heroin use is a growing concern for local law enforcement. Detective Dave Combs with the Knox Police Department says it first showed up in Starke County a few years ago and quickly grew in popularity. He says it typically comes into the area from the south side of Chicago and South Bend. The drug is derived from the opium plant and is imported from Mexico. Combs adds users can buy a folded foil packet of heroin for about $20 and get high. 

Heroin is usually a white or brown powder but can also be a black, sticky substance. Combs says heroin users typically keep a kit together containing everything they need to get high. Heroin can be snorted but is typically injected.

Combs says local authorities have been finding a lot of discarded syringes lately. Another indicator of heroin use is a spoon with burn residue in the middle from heating the heroin to liquefy it prior to injection. He says finding such items are a sign someone is using and needs help.

Research suggests prescription pain killer abuse can be a gateway to heroin use. Medications like Vicodin and Oxycontin are also opioids. Law enforcement officials say many users turn to heroin when they can no longer obtain prescription medications

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A pair of Knox residents face drug charges following yesterday’s bust of a large marijuana growing operation in downtown Knox by officers from the Starke County Major Crimes Unit. They served a search warrant at a residence in the 500 block of south Pearl Street, according to a news release. They reportedly found more than 200 marijuana plants growing inside the home along with several pounds of processed marijuana. Officers also seized growing equipment with an estimated value of $15,000 and cash.

Timothy Miller, 24, of Knox, faces dealing and possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance charges. Joshua Risner, 23, of Knox, faces charges of dealing and possession of marijuana and visiting a common nuisance.

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox Police Department were assisted by the Indiana State Police.

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A pair of Knox residents are facing drug charges following an investigation by the Starke County Major Crimes Unit.

Officers from the Knox Police Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of west Delaware Street in Knox on Wednesday.

They arrested 42-year-old Jeffrey Jacobs and 40-year-old Cherie Tolson, both of Knox. He faces preliminary charges of two counts of possession of a narcotic drug and one illegal drug lab count. Tolson has preliminary charges of possession of a narcotic drug.

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The Knox Police Department is approaching the halfway point in terms of fundraising for the purchase of a K9. Police Chief Harold Smith told the board of works on Wednesday they’ve raised $7,300 of the $17,000 to cover the cost of buying and training the dog and its handler. They hope to get a dual-purpose dog to detect drugs and assist with search and rescue efforts.

Donations for the Knox City Police Department K9 Fund will be receipted into a separate account. They can be dropped off at city hall during business hours or at the Knox Police Department. A GoFundMe account has also been set up to collect money.

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A Mentone man was injured Tuesday afternoon when his motorcycle struck the rear of a car that turned in front of him. The crash happened on South Heaton Street just north of Advance Auto. Knox City Police, the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Knox Fire Department First Responders and Starke County EMS responded.

According to witnesses, John Elam of Mentone was northbound on Heaton Street in the far right lane preparing to turn right onto Chicago Street. As he was turning, a silver PT Cruiser driven by a 17-year-old Knox boy turned right from the left lane into the path of Elam’s motorcycle.

The bike struck the car’s bumper. Elam was not wearing a helmet. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, and he was expected to be treated and released. Neither the driver of the car nor his passenger were injured.

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A 47-year-old Knox man faces a possession of child pornography charge. Officers from the Knox Police Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Office arrested Terry Reising yesterday. They executed search warrants on his home and vehicle and reportedly turned up pornographic photos of children.

The Starke County Major Crimes Unit is still investigating. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Knox Police Department at 574-772-4122.

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A Knox man who is accused of stealing a trailer from a local store late Wednesday night didn’t get far before he was apprehended by the police.

The Knox Police Department received a report of a suspicious vehicle at Smith Farm Store around 11:20 p.m., according to the incident report. The caller provided a vehicle description, and a Knox officer stopped the vehicle at Culver Road and Klockner Drive.

He discovered the vehicle was pulling a trailer that had been stolen from Smith Farm Store and also found unspecified merchandise from the store inside it.

Shawn Allen, 35, of Knox, was arrested on preliminary charges of theft as a Level 6 felony and driving while suspended as a misdemeanor.

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A Knox man and woman are jailed on drug charges following an investigation by the Starke County Major Crimes Unit. Officers from the Knox Police Department and Starke County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at an Allen Drive residence in Knox on Thursday. They found illegal narcotics and chemicals used to make methamphetamine, according to the incident report.

The occupants, 23-year-old Austin Steger and 22-year-old Kaylene Steger, both of Knox, were arrested. They face charges of manufacturing methamphetamine, illegal drug lab, possession of a narcotic drug and maintaining a common nuisance.

A small child was in the home, so the Indiana Department of Child Services was notified. The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team also assisted.

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The newest member of the Knox Police Department and his handler are off to school this week. O’Neill is an 18-month-old Malinois purchased by the department with donated funds raised over the past few months. Officer Chad Dulin says he will be certified in both drug detection and search and rescue.

“Belgian Malinois have a lot more speed to them, sometimes a bit more drive. That’s what we were looking for this time. He has a controlled work ethic. I like that. He’s not letting his drive get the best of him,” Dulin said.

O’Neill will be a certified narcotics dog and will also be able to clear buildings, cars, open fields and wooded areas to locate fleeing suspects when he completes his training.

Dulin adds he and O’Neill are going to train like they work, with every training simulating a live scenario. He adds Vohne Liche Kennels stands behind their dogs and will exchange O’Neill for another animal if they aren’t bonding the way they should or if he encounters a problem during training that cannot be fixed.

Dulin notes the average working life span for a police dog is between seven and 10 years. He adds the generosity of the community made the acquisition of the dog possible and says he appreciates everyone who contributed to the K-9 fund.

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A North Judson woman is in jail after officers from the Starke County Major Crimes Unit conducted a drug investigation at a rural residence Thursday afternoon. They found 46-year-old Angela May at the home in the 1000 West block of 250 South, according to the incident report.

They got a search warrant for the property and reportedly found items used to make methamphetamine, HCL generators, an active one-pot meth lab, meth an paraphernalia.

May faces preliminary charges of manufacturing meth, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of meth and possession of paraphernalia. She is currently being held without bond.

Officers from the North Judson Police Department and Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Team assisted the Major Crimes Unit.

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The Indiana State Police are investigating a police-involved shooting in Starke County. It happened this morning in the parking lot of the former Bailey’s Furniture Store on U.S. 35 south of Knox. Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin tells WKVI News ISP was called in to investigate because officers from both Starke County and the Knox Police Department were involved.

There’s no word on what prompted the shooting, how many people were involved or their conditions. Dulin says additional information will be released after the Indiana State Police investigation is complete.

We will update this story as official information becomes available.

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The Indiana State Police have released more information in last week’s fatal, police-involved Starke County shooting.

William R. Newman, 46, of Plymouth had an active Fulton County warrant for failure to appear for dealing methamphetamine and was also wanted for a parole violation by the Indiana State Parole Board.

Officers from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and Knox City Police Department were trying to serve a felony warrant at Bailey’s Furniture, located just south of Toto Road on U.S. 35 last Wednesday morning.

In the process of the warrant service, investigators say a black GMC pickup truck drove through the closed garage door of the business and struck a marked Starke County Sheriff’s patrol car. The GMC driver then tried to run over another officer while attempting to flee.

That’s when officers fired their weapons, striking the truck and the driver, who was the sole occupant. He was taken to Starke Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to the Indiana State Police, Knox City Police Chief Harold Smith, Cpl. Chad Dulin and Detective Donald Ferguson with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the shooting. The three have a combined 40 years of law enforcement service. None of the officers were injured.

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A Knox man faces numerous charges following a Thursday incident that started in Washington Township and ended in North Judson after a detour through the Bass Lake area.

Knox Police were involved in a chase in the area of 500 East and State Road 8 after Starke County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an invasion of privacy call. They found the suspect’s black 2004 Chevrolet pickup truck heading west into Knox on State Road 8. KPD officers used stop sticks to deflate one of the truck’s tires. The driver continued on for several miles before crashing the truck into a yard at 8460 East State Road 10 in Knox and fleeing on foot.

Later that morning, the Starke County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a stolen car in the area where the crash had occurred. They followed up on a tip and found the suspect, William Allen II of Knox, at a residence in North Judson and arrested him.

He’s jailed on preliminary felony charges of resisting law enforcement and criminal recklessness along with a misdemeanor reckless driving offense from the pursuit in addition to invasion of privacy and criminal mischief charges from the initial complaint.

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The Knox City Council approved a few changes to the city’s 2017 salary ordinance Tuesday. One of those was a new title and slight pay raise for one member of the police department, according to Mayor Dennis Estok. “Instead of a patrolman, it went up to a detective, and there was a $500 increase in pay from patrolman,” Estok explained.

Additionally, the Knox Planning Commission has opted to hire a non-member to serve as its secretary, so a separate position had to be added to the salary ordinance, although there’s no change in pay.

The amendment also clarified the building inspector/planning administrator/ordinance violation officer position. Estok said the hours for each part of the job were updated to better reflect actual workloads.

The mayor also pointed out that members of the various city boards are now paid on a per-meeting basis. “The only reason we went that way with the salary ordinance is because – not all of them, but some of the boards – the attendance was really poor,” he said. “I know the county – that’s how theirs are.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, several members were appointed to various boards and commissions. The Knox City Council also approved various transfers to close out the 2016 budget.

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