A suspect man who was wanted on a felony probation warrant for burglary was arrested Saturday after he allegedly fled from police after an early morning break-in was reported. Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus Police Department, says that at approximately 6:45 a.m., a homeowner in the 1700 block of Chandler Lane reported a man broke into her home, stole her purse, and fled on a moped. A short time later, officers saw a man nearby riding a moped and attempted to stop him after he disregarded a stop sign. The suspect refused to pull over and a vehicle pursuit ensued. Police say the suspect, 20-year-old Brandon L. Richardson, of Columbus, crashed after traveling through a field in the 6200 block of Regency Drive. The chase continued on foot for a short time until Richardson was arrested.

Harris says that officers determined that the moped Richardson was driving had been reported stolen in Bartholomew County earlier this year. They also reported finding the stolen purse stolen inside the storage compartment of the moped.

Richardson, whom police say had three Bartholomew County warrants, was arrested on preliminary charges of:

Burglary
Possession of Stolen Property
Resisting Law Enforcement (Vehicle)
Resisting Law Enforcement (on Foot)

The West Nile Virus has been found in Bartholomew County. The county health department says that mosquitoes collected in Bartholomew County have tested positive for the virus. This is the first time West Nile has been detected in Bartholomew County. Authorities say that they will be concentrating their mosquito control efforts in the areas where the virus was found.

You are urged to take steps to remove standing water from your property, as they are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. You should also take precautions at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. That includes wearing long sleeves and using an insect repellent containing DEET.

Authorities say that West Nile Virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that have bitten an infected bird. Infected humans usually show symptoms three to 15 days after they are bitten. Health Department officials say that most people who get infected wither have no symptoms, or very mild symptoms. They add that those who suffer from the most serious cases are over 50 year of age or have weakened immune systems.

North Vernon Police arrested two people Sunday night after responding to a report of someone holding a knife to a baby at Oak Meadows Apartments.

Sgt. Andrew Richmond, spokesman for the North Vernon Police Department, says that police received the call just before 7 p.m. Officers saw the vehicle pass them as they were entering the complex parking lot. They stopped the vehicle and detained 25-year-old Kelby R. Leonard and 26-year-old Joshua R. Collett, both of North Vernon. Richmond says the pair had two toddlers in the vehicle with them.

Sgt. Richmond says that the investigation revealed that Leonard had driven Collett to an address in Oak Meadow apartments with the two children in the car. Once there, they say that Collett began arguing with a family member about money. The argument became heated and Collett allegedly produced a meat cleaver style knife and demanded money and threatened the people in the apartment. In addition, police say that Collett threatened the people if the police were called, including a one-year-old child that was in the apartment. Police say that Leonard knew what was occurring in the apartment and left the two children, ages one and two, unattended in the vehicle to go warn Collett to leave with her before the police arrived.

Sgt. Richmond says that Collett and Leonard were both arrested and transported to the Jennings County Jail. He says that Collett was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, a prescription only drug, and methamphetamine. The knife used in the original complaint was located under the front passenger seat of the vehicle that was stopped by the officers.

Collett is facing preliminary charges of:

Robbery while Armed with a Deadly Weapon;
Intimidation;
Possession of Methamphetamine;
Neglect of a Dependent;
Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon;
Legend Drug Violation;
Maintaining a Common Nuisance;
Possession of paraphernalia;
Interfering with Reporting a Crime;
Disorderly conduct.

Police say that Collett was also wanted on an outstanding warrant for failing to appear on original charges of Criminal Confinement, Battery with Injury and Domestic Battery. Collect is being held without bond.

Leonard is facing preliminary charges of:

Conspiracy to Commit Robbery with a Deadly Weapon;
Aiding, Inducing or Causing Robbery;
Neglect of a Dependent;
Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

Leonard is being held on $1,055 cash bond.

Columbus Police arrested two people early Friday morning after receiving a report of suspicious people carrying bolt cutters inside a storage unit facility. Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman, says that officers responded to Storage Express, located at 2650 Eastwood Drive, shortly after 2 a.m. When they arrived, they reported finding a suspicious vehicle with a license plate that had been taken off the back of the car and placed inside the vehicle.

A short time later, the officers reported seeing the two suspects using a tool to enter one of the storage units. They were identified as 26-year-old Cody R. Manvilla, of Taylorsville, and 43-year-old Christina L. Michael, of Columbus. During the arrests police say they recovered a set of bolt cutters, along with and a number pad locks that had been cut.

Harris says that Manvilla was wanted on five outstanding local warrants. He says that both he and Michael were arrested on four preliminary

counts of theft. The pair are being held on 48 hour holds as police continue their investigation.

Seymour Police say that Jackson Elementary School had to be put on lock-down for a couple of hours on Thursday after a man, who was believed to be armed and possibly suicidal, was in the area. Police say that the man evaded them be ducking into a cornfield near Freeman Field. Authorities stressed that the man was not near the school, but he was close enough that school officials decided to take action.

“The Tribune” is reporting that the manhunt was resolved peacefully around 3 p.m. Some school activities had to be postponed due to the search. The identity of the man has not been released.

A man is in custody after threatening to jump from the Interstate 65 bridge at State Road 46 in Columbus.

Columbus Police say that first-responders went to the scene Thursday after the man appeared on Facebook Live threatening to hang himself from the structure. In the video, the visibly distraught man spoke about the court system and not being able to see his children. He also lamented a perceived double-standard in the court system when it comes to fathers being allowed to have access to their children.

The incident restricted traffic on both I-65 and State Road 46, according to police

Police say that crisis negotiators were able to talk the man off of the bridge where he was safely taken into custody.

A 4.5-mile route has been announced for Tuesday’s procession escorting the remains of U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathon Hunter, who died during an Aug. 2 ambush in Afghanistan, from Columbus Municipal Airport to Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.

The Columbus Police Department says that a military aircraft carrying Sgt. Hunter is scheduled to touch down at Columbus Municipal Airport at approximately 10:40 a.m. The procession will leave the airport at approximately 11 a.m. and travel south on Ray Boll Boulevard. The procession will turn west on Arnold Street and then go south on Central Avenue. It will turn west on 25th Street and then south on Washington Street, where it will conclude at the funeral home at 1029 Washington Street.

Authorities say that motorcyclists wishing to participate in the escort will need to arrive at the airport gate on Middle Road to check in starting at 9:30 a.m. All riders must arrive and be staged no later than 10:15 a.m.

Since the public viewing area at the airport is limited in size, you are encouraged to line the procession route.

CPD says that additional information will be made available early next week in regards to Sgt. Hunter’s funeral at Columbus East High School. That is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26th.

A Nashville man, accused of attacking a Chinese exchange student with a hatchet, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity. Network Indiana is reporting that 61-year-old Dana Ericson testified that he even though he told police he wanted to “kill evil” when he attacked 18-year-old Yue Zhang, of China, that he was in a psychotic state, and wanted nothing to do with racial hatred. According to the report, Ericson’s 100-year-old mother testified that she had seen her son in that state before, noting that it started with euphoria and ended with mania.

Zhang, who was attending Brown County High School at the time, did not testify because she is back in China. She did send testimony deposition. She was taking pictures downtown when she was attacked. Authorities say the attack bloodied her and left her without full use of an arm for several weeks.

Network Indiana says that Ericson will be held until a commitment hearing.

A Flat Rock man has died after a Tuesday night crash. Judy Jackson, spokeswoman for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, says that at 9:19 p.m., deputies responded to the scene on East County Road 400 South, just west of the U.S. 31 roundabout. There, they found Elizabethtown Fire personnel tending to 54-year-old J. Mike Diewert, who was unconscious.

Authorities say that the preliminary investigation revealed that Diewert’s motorcycle was traveling east at a low rate of speed when he made contact with an SUV that was trying to pass him. The driver of the SUV was not hurt.

Jackson says that Diewert was flown by Lifeline to Methodist Hospital where he underwent surgery Tuesday night. He passed away on Wednesday.

The Shelby County Drug Task Force executed three search warrants over four days, resulting in 11 arrests, the seizure of methamphetamine, marijuana, controlled substances, syringes, paraphernalia, scales, cash and guns.

Authorities say the work began on August 11th, when a search warrant was executed in the 1100 block of Brandywine Court in Shelbyville that resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Those arrested were:

James Atwood, 31, of Shelbyville – Visiting a Common Nuisance;

Lois Crouch, 56, of Shelbyville – Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia;

Rashod Akers, 29, of Phoenix, AZ – Visiting a Common Nuisance. Police say that Akers also had and an outstanding warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia;

Jennifer Chaney, 24, of Shelbyville – Visiting a Common Nuisance.

On August 14th, a search warrant was executed in the 5200 block of South Columbus Road in Shelbyville that resulted in the seizure of methamphetamine, several used syringes, paraphernalia, and items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, along with evidence of dealing methamphetamine. Those arrested were:

Troy Thaldorf, 44, of Shelbyville – Dealing Methamphetamine, Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine,
Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Paraphernalia, Dumping a Controlled Substance Waste, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Drug Lab Precursors;

Debra Walton, 53, of Shelbyville – Dealing Methamphetamine, Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine,
Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Paraphernalia, Dumping a Controlled Substance Waste, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Drug Lab Precursors.

On August 15th, a search warrant was executed in the 10000 block of South 50 East in Flat Rock that resulted in the seizure of over 80 grams of methamphetamine, along with marijuana, syringes, paraphernalia, a controlled substance, cash, 16 firearms, and a stolen vehicle. Those arrested were:

Heath Willey, 43, of Flat Rock – Dealing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance,
Possession of Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon, Auto Theft and Possession of Marijuana.

TJ Johnson, 29, of Flat Rock – Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of a Syringe, Auto Theft and Counterfeiting;

Shannon Nealy, 41, of Morgantown – Possession of Methamphetamine, Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Methamphetamine,
Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Syringe;

Alicia Euell, 33, of Shelbyville – Maintaining a Common Nuisance;

Joshua Beikman, 37 of Shelbyville – Maintaining a Common Nuisance.

The Shelby County Drug Task Force says it was assisted in these warrants by the Shelby County Sheriff Department, Shelby County Prosecutor’s Office, Shelbyville Police Department SWAT, Shelbyville Police Department, Shelbyville Police Department Crime Scene Investigator and the Indiana State Police Methamphetamine Suppression Unit.