A Columbus man was arrested over the weekend after police say he was found in possession of a stolen gun. Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman, says that officers responded to a gas station in the 3100 block of National Road at about 2:20 p.m. Saturday after receiving information that someone was trying to sell the weapon. Harris says that 41-year-old William C. Cox was selling a handgun that was reported stolen earlier in the day. Once officers made contact with Cox, they noted that he was holding two cell phones, both of which were reported stolen. A short time later, Harris says that officers found the stolen .380 caliber firearm behind a bag of potato chips inside the store. After Cox was taken into custody, police reported finding three .380 caliber bullets in his pants pockets.

Cox was arrested on preliminary charges of Theft and Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels through Tuesday for our area. This includes:

Bartholomew County
Jackson County
Scott County
Brown County
Johnson County
Monroe County
Shelby County
Washington County

IDEM is encouraging you to take steps to reduce ozone. They suggest things such as carpooling, walking, biking, using public transportation, avoid using drive-throughs, combine errands into one trip, avoid refueling your vehicle until after 7 p.m., avoid using gas-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m., avoid extended idling in your vehicle, turn off unneeded lights at home and setting your air conditioner to 75 degrees or above.

IDEM says that people who are sensitive to air quality will be the most affected during this time. Officials add that children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outside.

A call about a reckless driver heading west on Tenth Street from Central Avenue in Columbus led to the arrest of a local man. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that at about 9:50 p.m. on Friday, Deputy Adam Warner found the vehicle at 11th Street and Lafayette Avenue doing a burnout when taking off from the stop signs at the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and Franklin Street.

When Deputy Warner activated his emergency lights, the vehicle allegedly ran the traffic light at 11th and Washington Streets and drove northbound on Washington Street at a high rate of speed before stopping near the intersection of 14th and Washington Streets.

The deputy reports that the driver, 37-year-old Jorge Huberto Chavez of Pearl Street, appeared to be intoxicated. He also allegedly found alcohol bottles inside of Chavez’s vehicle.

Chavez, who was wanted on a felony warrant out of Jennings County, is facing preliminary charges of Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated and Operating Without Ever Receiving a License. In addition, Jackson says that Chavez was also issued three traffic tickets for infractions observed during the incident.

Chavez is being held without bond.

A Sunday night traffic stop led to the arrest of two Columbus residents on drug charges. Judy Jackson, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, says that Deputy Leah Burton was patrolling southbound on US 31 in the area of County Road 650 North shortly before midnight when she noticed a vehicle in front of her with an expired license tag. She also noted that the vehicle was swerving in the lane.

Jackson says that Deputy Burton conducted a traffic stop near County Road 400 North. The driver, 31-year-old Chawn Timothy Coomer of McCullough Lane, allegedly told the deputy that heroin was in the vehicle. A search reportedly resulted in the discovery of a gray powdery substance, several syringes and a small amount of marijuana.

Coomer, whom authorities say was wanted on four warrants, was arrested on preliminary charges of:

False Informing;
Possession of Heroin;
Possession of Legend Drug Injection Devices;
Possession of Paraphernalia

Coomer remains behind bars in lieu of $122,500 bond.

Coomer’s passenger, 39-year-old Mara Ann Gastineau of Northeastern Blvd, was also arrested. She is facing preliminary charges of:

Possession of Heroin,
Legend Drug Deception;
Possession of Marijuana

Gastineau remains jailed without bond.

A man suspected of breaking into vehicles in Columbus, is now also being accused of kicking a police officer during his arrest.

22-year-old Derek R. Jordan of Edinburgh was arrested in the 2700 block of Poplar Drive after the incidents early Sunday morning.

Columbus police say that witnesses saw a man wearing black clothing and driving a dark SUV breaking into vehicles on Hawpatch Drive at about 3:30 Sunday morning. A short while later, police were called to Poplar Drive on a report of an intoxicated man yelling in the road. They found Jordan and recognized his description from the earlier theft report, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police. And officers allegedly discovered some of the stolen items in his vehicle.

Harris said that Jordan became combative during the arrest and allegedly kicked an officer in the thigh. He is facing preliminary charges of theft and battery on a police officer.

The suspect in a Columbus carjacking was arrested after a chase down Interstate 65 at speeds of more than a 100 mph yesterday.

The victim was at a gas station on Jonathan Moore Pike at about noon Sunday when a man approached with his hand in his pocket, as if he had a gun. The suspect intimidated the victim into turning over the keys to his van and then drove off, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police.

State police began chasing the vehicle south of Seymour on the Interstate and instead of stopping the driver allegedly accelerated away for about eight miles, eventually getting off onto U.S. 31 and finally stopping.

33-year-old Matthew Kuecher of Orland Park, Ill. is facing preliminary charges of auto theft, intimidation and battery. He is also likely going to face charges in Jackson County for resisting law enforcement and reckless driving, Harris said.

Flags are at half staff today for Peace Officers Memorial Day, recognizing police officers killed in the line of duty.

Gov Eric Holcomb ordered flags at state facilities at half-staff and asks businesses and residents to do the same.

Columbus police, Bartholomew County deputies and other public safety workers will hold a ceremony at 9 a.m. Friday at the public safety memorial plaza on Second Street.

Lt. Matt Harris is the Columbus Police department’s Public Information Officer…

Harris says that last year was a particular dangerous one for police officers across the country.

You are encouraged to take part in Friday’s service.

Columbus will be continuing its tradition of biking to work with the mayor as part of Bike to Work week, this week. You can bike to work with Mayor Jim Lienhoop on Friday May 19th.

Bike riders will leave from the Sycamore Street side of North Christian Church with the mayor, at 7:15 a.m.

Laura Garrett with Healthy Communities says there will be other groups leaving at the same time from all around town and you can can learn from the more experienced riders.

Other bike to work groups will also leave at 7:15 a.m. from the Papa’s Grill parking lot on the West side, from the Blackwell Park/ Parkside area, from the Haw Creek Trail at 30th Street and Griffa Avenue and from the Anderson Community Center on the eastside of Columbus.

All of the routes will converge at the Cummins Irwin Conference Center downtown. After the bike ride, there will be a breakfast at the center organized by the Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city of Columbus.

The breakfast will run from 7:30 to 8:30 that morning.

Columbus City Council will be asked to approve a major annexation on the northwest side of the city. That will be for a new 312-home subdivision that would be built south of Lowell Road on either side of County Road 200W.

Last month the city’s plan commission recommended approving the annexation and an associated rezoning. Jeff Bergman, director of the city/county planning department explains.

The development would include several parks and ponds. Road 200W improvements would include a roundabout in the midst of the development and city officials also want a roundabout on Lowell Road.

City Council will consider the annexation when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Columbus City Hall. This meeting will be held in the downstairs meeting room instead of the Council chambers.

Indiana State Police are investigating a death near Crothersville last week and a woman is under arrest, accused of obstruction of justice.

51-year-old Clarence Howard was found dead in his home at around 10 a.m. Thursday on East County Road 500S in Jackson County. State police say that foul play is not suspected.

However, state police also believe that 26-year-old Mattie Kendall of Crothersville altered the scene and left before detectives could speak to her, says Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the state police. She was found walking on Interstate 65 and arrested.

State Police are still waiting for autopsy and toxicology results and the death remains under investigation.