DROWNING AT DALLAS LAKE ON SATURDAY
Indiana Conservation Officer Robert Duff is investigating a possible drowning that occurred on June 27, 2009 at approximately 4:56 pm at Dallas Lake, which is located in south-central LaGrange County, northwest of Wolcottville, Indiana.
 
Kelly Smith, 41, of Wolcottville, Indiana, was playing frisbee at a sandbar with the family dog when she swam out to deeper water to recover the frisbee.   For an unknown reason, she began to have trouble swimming and went under the surface of the water.
 
Local resident, Harold "Bud" Rea was able to dive down in approximately 12-16 feet of water and recover Smith.  Smith was transported to shore to an awaiting ambulance at approximately 5:08 pm.
 
Smith was later pronounced dead at the scene.
 
An autopsy was performed on 6-28-09 and death was ruled asphyxiation due to drowning
 
Duff was assisted by Indiana Conservation Officer Todd Lang, LaGrange County Sheriff’s Department, Topeka Police Department, Topeka Fire Department, Johnson Twp. Fire Department, LaGrange County EMS and the LaGrange County Coroners Office.
 
The Coroner's Office and Indiana Conservation Officers are continuing the investigation.

AERIAL SEARCH FOR MARIJUANA YIELDS
STOLEN TRUCK IN A NOBLE COUNTY POND

Wawaka-The Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Team Leader from the Fort Wayne Post helped locate a stolen pickup truck this morning, June 26, while searching for marijuana from the air in north central Noble County.

Master Trooper Al Morris, who was flying with the Civil Air Patrol based out of Fort Wayne, located what appeared to be a pickup truck in a private pond in the 8000 N block of County Road 300 W, north of Wawaka. Morris provided the information to the Fort Wayne Post Commander who assigned Sergeant Ron Galaviz to locate both the pond and its owner.

After Galaviz made contact with the property owners, Indiana State Police Dive Team members Sergeant Trent Smith, Senior Trooper Steve Malone and Trooper Marc Leatherman arrived and dove to verify that a vehicle was not only in the water, but that no one was inside of it. The vehicle, a white 1998 Dodge pickup, was found empty in approximately ten feet of water. Upon further investigation, it was learned that the vehicle had been reported stolen from a location in Noble County back in September of 2008 by its owner, a resident of rural Columbia City. The Noble County Sheriff Department took the initial theft report and any inquiries into that case should be referred to them.

Agencies assisting were the Civil Air Patrol, the Noble County Sheriff Department and Campbell’s Towing.

CORUNNA MAN ARRESTED AND
CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER

Corunna-A Corunna man was arrested by the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigation Division late Monday night on a charge of attempted murder in connection with a shooting that occurred early Sunday morning.

At approximately 1:29 am on Sunday, 6-7-09, DeKalb County Police received a 911 call indicating that a man, later identified as 51 year old Larry D. Daley, had been shot in the 500 block of County Road 20 in rural Corunna.

An investigation was then initiated by Indiana State Police Detective Mark Heffelfinger which revealed that an argument had ensued between Daley and an acquaintance over money which was owed to one party by the other. As a result of the argument, it is alleged that Richard L. Leins, 59, of Corunna shot Daley multiple times with a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle. Daley was airlifted to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne where he underwent surgery on Monday, 6-8-09.

An arrest warrant was issued for Leins out of the DeKalb County Superior I Court for one count of Attempted Murder, a Class A Felony. Leins was arrested at his residence at approximately 10:30 pm on Monday night without incident and is currently being held in the DeKalb County Jail without bond.

Arrested and charged:

Richard L. Leins, 49, 0504 CR 20, Corunna, IN
Attempted Murder, Class A Felony

FOURMEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION
WITH HOMICIDE IN WATERLOO

DeKalb County-Four men, one in Florida and three in DeKalb County, are currently being held in connection with the May 15th homicide of Raymond Edward Morrow, 63, of rural Butler. The homicide occurred at a flea market in the 4500 block of US 6 where Mr. Morrow was shot to death and robbed of money and firearms.

In conjunction with his investigation, Indiana State Police Detective Mark Heffelfinger traveled to St. Cloud Florida on Saturday, May 23rd and interviewed Jeffery William Cain, 51 of St. Cloud, Florida, regarding the investigation into the homicide of Mr. Morrow. At the conclusion of the interview Cain was arrested and charged with murder and armed robbery. Cain is currently detained in Florida pending his extradition to Indiana.

Today, May 27, two Steuben County men and one from DeKalb County were arrested and charged with murder, felony murder, and robbery armed with a deadly weapon. They are currently being held in the DeKalb County Jail without bond.

ARRESTED AND CHARGED:

Jeffery William Cain, 51, 813 Indiana Avenue, St. Cloud, Florida
Murder, Armed Robbery

Matthew W. Nelson, 49, 9664 700 W, Orland, Indiana
Murder, Felony Murder, Robbery Armed With a Deadly Weapon

Clint Daniel Hess, 39, 124 Michigan Street, Corunna, Indiana
Murder, Felony Murder, Robbery Armed With a Deadly Weapon

Matthu Ryan Sanders, 29, 3480 S SR 327, Hudson, Indiana
Murder, Felony Murder, Robbery Armed With a Deadly Weapon

DRUNK DRIVER CAUSES A TWO VEHICLE
PERSONAL INJURY CRASH

Cree Lake-The Indiana State Police responded to a two-vehicle personal injury crash on May 21, at the intersection of State Road 3 and County Road 1000 N, involving an intoxicated driver.

According to Senior Trooper Steve Malone, a 2005 Ford F-250 driven by Keith J. Gillian, 56, of Rome City, was traveling eastbound on 1000 N when it attempted to cross State Road 3. Gillian’s vehicle struck a northbound 1999 GMC Yukon driven by Barbara A. Reeder, 50, of Kendallville in the driver’s door. As a result of the crash, Reeder was transported to Parkview Noble Hospital with a broken left arm. Her front seat passenger, Danielle Gibson, 25, of Kendallville was also transported to the hospital with complaints of pain throughout her body. A one-year-old boy, who was in the back seat of Reeder’s vehicle, and who was also properly restrained in a child restraint seat, was not injured. All three adults involved in the crash were also wearing their seatbelts thus reducing the nature of injuries sustained.

As a result of the investigation, Malone transported Gillian to the Noble County Sheriff Department where a chemical test for intoxication was administered. Gillian was then incarcerated and charged with operating while intoxicated causing injury and was also cited for failing to yield the right of way.

Assisting with the investigation was the Noble County Sheriff Department, Noble County EMS, and the Kendallville Fire Department.

Arrested and charged:

Keith J. Gillian, 53, 1250 Northshore Drive, Rome City, IN
Operating While Intoxicated Causing Injury, Class A Misdemeanor
Failure to Yield Right of Way, Infraction

Faith Preschool registration open now

Faith Preschool is open to children of all faiths and is now enrolling for the 2009-10 school year. Three and four-year-olds meet Tuesday and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Five year-olds meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11:30 a.m. at Faith United Methodist Church in Kendallville.

If you have questions or to register, call Michelle Bradford at the church, 347-2616.