On September 1, 2023, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a stop light enforcement blitz on US 41 from County Road 100 North to County Road 350 South. During this four hour block of time deputies conducted 22 traffic stops in this four mile stretch of roadway. As a result of these traffic stops 13 citations were written for disregarding a lighted traffic signal. One was written for disregarding a stop sign, and one citation was written for speeding. In addition to the citations multiple warnings were distributed.
Parks Commissioner Comments On Restroom Vandalism
The Mt. Carmel City Park has been a busy place this summer and the new restrooms at the park have drawn a lot of praise from visitors. But, vandals have caused damaged to the restrooms at different times since opening last year causing parks commissioner Tyson Meador to issue a reminder to residents…
And despite what you may have seen on Facebook..Meador said there are no security cameras inside the bathrooms. He said comments concerning photos of vandalism damage were taken by security cameras inside were false and were instead taken by city employees after discovering the damage.
Photo from Mayor Joe Judge of damage found last month.
Terre Haute Man Arrested for Driving While Impaired in Stolen Vehicle
Knox County – Thursday afternoon, August 31, at approximately 3:45 p.m., Trooper Detective Hatfield was patrolling US 41 near Oaktown when Knox County Dispatch reported a white GMC truck, owned by M & K Construction, had been stolen from a gas station in Terre Haute and was traveling south on Old 41 from Moody Road near Oaktown. Hatfield observed the vehicle turn into Oaktown at Old 41 and stopped it at School Street at 3 Street. The driver was arrested and identified as Markus D. Arthur, 44, of Terre Haute. During the traffic stop, Arthur displayed signs of impairment and later failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed Arthur had a BAC of .04% and was under the influence of cannabinoids, amphetamine, and methamphetamine. Arthur was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Markus D. Arthur, 44, Terre Haute, IN
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction, Level 6 Felony
Theft of a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
Driving While Suspended, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper/Detective N. Hatfield, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Terre Haute Police
Indiana State Police To Have Extra Labor Day Weekend Patrols
Troopers from the Indiana State Police Jasper Post would like to encourage safe travels during this Labor Day weekend. To help ensure the safety of all motorists during this holiday period, the Indiana State Police will be participating in Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort) and DUIEP (Driving Under the Influence Enforcement Project). Both federally funded programs allow extra troopers to patrol Hoosier highways during the upcoming holiday period.
Efforts will be focused on aggressive drivers, distracted drivers, impaired drivers, and drivers and passengers not buckled up.
Do your part to ensure safety on Indiana’s roads:
Don’t drive distracted
Avoid tailgating
Use turn signals
Obey the speed limit
Make sure everyone is buckled up
Don’t drive impaired by drugs or alcohol
If you do see a possibly impaired driver, call 911 and give the vehicle’s description, location and direction of travel, and license plate, if possible. The goal is for everyone to celebrate safely and responsibly to ensure a safe Labor Day weekend. Be courteous to others while you are driving.
ISP AND SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS DRUG TASK FORCE MAKE DRUG ARREST NEAR SCHOOL
SALEM – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force (SEIDTF) and Illinois State Police Division of Patrol Troop 9 announce the arrest of 23-year-old Jeremiah A. Fink of Salem, IL for four counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class X Felony).
Over several months, ISP DCI SEIDTF conducted a narcotics investigation that resulted in the illicit sale of controlled substances. On August 31, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Fink was taken into custody, without incident, in the area of Mills Cart Road and West Main in Salem. Fink was charged with all Class X Felonies due to all transactions occurring less than 500 feet of a school while children were present.
Fink is currently being held at the Marion County Jail, with bond set at $75,000, 10% to apply. The investigation remains ongoing. No further information will be disseminated by Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force.
SEIDTF is comprised of the Salem Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Robinson Police Department, the Mount Carmel Police Department and the Illinois State Police. This investigation was a cooperative effort amongst the area police departments in an effort to curb drug usage and violence in the area.
Traffic Stop Results In Arrest Of Two Lawrence County Residents
On 8/30/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tiffany D. Smith, age 28, and Mark W. Richards, age 55, both of Lawrence County for Possession of Methamphetamine, Obstruction of Justice, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Additionally, Smith had three active arrest warrants for her arrest out of Vanderburgh County, Crawford County, and Lawrence County. The arrests stemmed from a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Avalanche at 3rd & Poplar Street for expired registration. During the stop, Wabash County Deputy Cheadle responded with his K-9 Kiki to conduct a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the Chevrolet. In doing so, Dep. Cheadle advised KiKi had alerted to the presence of narcotics. The occupants exited the vehicle at which time officers located suspected methamphetamine, glass smoking devices and a digital scale in the vehicle. Furthermore, officers learned of Smith’s true identity after she attempted to provide a false name to avoid detection of her outstanding warrants. Smith was transported to the Wabash County Jail while Richards was transported to an area hospital for unrelated health issues, being released on a Notice to Appear. Currently, Smith remains at the Wabash County Jail on the above charges along with the outstanding warrants for Obstructing Identification, Forgery and Fraud cases.
Tiffany D. Smith, age 28
Pursuit of stolen vehicle leads to arrest of Chicago woman on multiple charges
On August 30, 2023, at approximately 4:39 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch put out a Be On the Look Out for a Blue Dodge Challenger out of Evansville, Indiana. Fort Branch Town Marshal Darrell Parker observed the vehicle traveling Northbound on US 41 at State Road 168 and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop. Officer Parker continued to pursue the vehicle on US 41 with the driver of the Challenger reaching speeds of 128 mph. The vehicle finally turned east off of US 41 and onto County Road 100 North where the driver lost control of the vehicle after hitting a railroad crossing at a high rate of speed. Special Deputy Chuck Frederick observed the driver flee from the vehicle and into a small wooded area. Deputy Quinten Might arrived shortly thereafter and Deputy Frederick pointed the direction that the driver fled and apprehended 31 year old Marquita McGee of Chicago, Illinois. After a brief roadside investigation Ms. McGee was transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Auto Theft, Resisting-Fleeing in a Vehicle, Resisting- Fleeing on foot, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Recklessness, and False Informing. She remains in custody on a $1500 bond.
Arresting Officer: Deputy Quinten Might.
Assisting Officers: Fort Branch Town Marshal Darrell Parker, Special Deputy Chuck Frederick, Deputy Michael Owens, and Princeton Officer Matthew Perry.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tuesday Crash Sends Mt. Carmel Woman To Evansville Hospital
On 8/29/23, at approximately 1:44pm, Mt. Carmel Police responded to a two-vehicle collision at 11th & Chestnut Street with one vehicle on its side. Wabash General Ambulance Service, Mt. Carmel Fire Department and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene. Upon arrival, police found a female identified as Brenda J. Hargrave, age 73, of Mt. Carmel in the driver’s seat of an overturned white Ford Escape. The other vehicle, a black Toyota, was found to be unoccupied and parked on the south side of the intersection. The responding agencies worked together free Hargrave from the vehicle. Due to the nature of Hargrave’s injuries, she was transported by ambulance to an Evansville area hospital. After speaking to a witness, police learned the white Ford Escape was traveling east on 11th Street, when for unknown reasons, it collided with the Toyota causing the Ford to overturn. There was significant damage to both vehicles. The crash remains under investigation.
Husband & Wife Charged With Domestic Battery
On 8/25/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Michael S. Keneipp, age 41, and his wife Kendra L. Keneipp, age 32, both currently of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery. Prior to the arrest, a concerned citizen called the police department reporting an ongoing physical dispute between the above-mentioned subjects in the 300 block of N Market Street. Police arrived to the scene and was stopped by another witness who reported similar observations. Upon further investigation, police found evidence to indicate both parties had battered each other during the dispute. Both were placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Trespassing At Tower Heights
On 8/27/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Randall S. Harms, age 55, of Mt. Carmel for Criminal Trespass to State Supported Property. Police were called to Tower Heights, 330 W 10th Street, regarding an unwanted person on the property. Police arrived and found witnesses, including staff, that observed Harms on the property even though he had been previously barred by management. Tower Heights is funded in part by government supported means. Harms was located in the 400 block of W 9th Street where he was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Harms was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear.