Monthly Archives: April 2019

Five arrested at North Gladstone Ave. home

Lisa G Bryant; photo courtesy of CPD
Scott W Bryant; photo courtesy of CPD

Five local residents were arrested by officers from the Columbus Police Department’s Intelligence Led Policing Unit Thursday afternoon during a warrant service at a Columbus home.

Shortly after 4 p.m., officers responded to the residence in the 1500 block of North Gladstone Avenue in regards to a warrant service. While inside the residence, officers reported finding two wanted people, along with narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

During a search of the home, officers reported finding 51-year-old Lisa G. Bryant hiding inside a bedroom closet. Officers confirmed a warrant for her arrest and she was taken into custody without incident. Officers also arrested 52-year-old Scott W. Bryant, who was also wanted on an outstanding warrant.

Mary J Strickland; photo courtesy of CPD
Jessica Hynes; photo courtesy of CPD

While searching the home, officers reported finding additional drugs and paraphernalia, including methamphetamine, leading to three more arrests.

Arrested were:

– Lisa G. Bryant, 51, of Columbus: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B Misdemeanor), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class C Misdemeanor) Three Bartholomew County Warrants

– Scott W. Bryant, 52, of Columbus: Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B Misdemeanor), Bartholomew County Body Attachment Warrant

– Mary J. Strickland, 52, of Columbus: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class C Misdemeanor)

– Jessica N. Hynes, 33, of Columbus: Visiting a Common Nuisance (Class B Misdemeanor)

– Joseph P. Wilder, 60, of Columbus: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a Legend Drug (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony)

Season’s final First Fridays event for kids tonight at The Commons

The Columbus Area Arts Council is wrapping this winter’s series of First Fridays for Families performances tonight with a show in downtown Columbus.

The series will end for the season with “The Dwarfs’ Tale of Snow White” performed by Dancers Studio, Inc. The performance takes a look at the the animated classic from the perspective of the dwarfs themselves. It features music, dancing and storytelling.

First Fridays for Families is meant to introduce young audiences to the performing arts in a fun, informal setting. It is free to attend, thanks to the sponsorship of Old National Bank and the city of Columbus.

First Fridays for Families run from November through April on the first Friday of each month.

The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 6 p.m. tonight at The Commons.

For more about this or any other arts council events you can go to artsincolumbus.org

Police see spike in thefts from locked vehicles

Columbus police are warning you to take you valuables inside, instead of leaving them in a vehicle. That comes after a recent series of thefts from vehicles.

Since March 1st, there have been 47 reported thefts from vehicles in Columbus and Bartholomew County. Police say that this is different than previous spikes in thefts because in half of these cases, the thieves have forced entry into the vehicles, causing damage to get at the valuables inside.

Normally, about 95 percent of thefts from vehicles involve unlocked doors. Three of the recent cases have involved firearms taken from the vehicles.

Police ask that if you see anything suspicious, that you alert officers.

State Police ID officers in Brownstown shooting

Brownstown Chief Tom Hanner; photo courtesy of ISP

Indiana State Police have identified the two officers involved in Wednesday’s fatal shooting in Brownstown.

ISP says that Police Chief Tom Hanner was one of the officers. Chief Hanner, a 15-year law enforcement veteran, has served as head of the Brownstown Police Department for seven years. He previously served with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

The second officer has been identified as Assistant Chief Joe Kelly. ISP says that Assistant Chief Kelly is a 12-year law enforcement veteran. He previously served with the Indiana Capital Police before being hired by the Brownstown Police Department.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, says that 53-year-old Barry Rucker, of Brownstown, was shot by police responding to a report of domestic disturbance outside the station at Poplar and Walnut streets at about 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Assistant Chief Joe Kelly; photo courtesy of ISP

Investigators say that Rucker was arguing with a woman when the officers arrived. Rucker allegedly pulled a gun moments later. That led to both officers firing on Rucker, striking him at least once.

Jackson County deputies arrived on the scene and along with the Brownstown officers provided first aid to Rucker until paramedics arrived and took him to Schneck Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Indiana State Police say both Chief Hanner and Assistant Chief Kelly have been placed on administrative leave per department protocol.

The investigation is ongoing. State Police say that, when finished, ISP will submit the investigation to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Methamphetamine-dealing charged in arrest of Columbus man

Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.
Kurt T. Lovins. Photo courtesy of Columbus Police Department.

A local man is facing methamphetamine dealing charges after a police raid at his home yesterday.

Columbus police say that they served an arrest warrant at the East South Street home of 35-year-ol Kurt T. Lovins at about 3:30 Wednesday afternoon. After taking him into custody, officers discovered about 27 grams of methamphetamine in the waistband of his pants.

In addition to the new charge, he was wanted on a Bartholomew County warrant.

Cummins recognized by governor for 100 years in business

Cummins Inc. was recently recognized by the governor with a Century Business Award. The awards recognize Hoosier businesses that have remained in continuous operation for at least 50 or 100 consecutive years and demonstrated a commitment to community service.

The company was founded in Columbus in February 1919, growing from the dream and engineering skill of Clessie Cummins and the financing of W.G. Irwin. With backing from Irwin and the use of Irwin Mansion’s garage on Fifth Street, the company’s goal was to manufacture and sell internal combustion engines with diesel technology.

State Rep. Ryan Lauer made the announcement earlier this week, saying Columbus is fortunate to be the home of an industry leader that provides jobs to Hoosiers and reinvests in our community and state.

Update: State police provide more details of Brownstown shooting

A Jackson County man was shot and killed by police during an incident Wednesday morning outside the Brownstown Police Station.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police, says that 53-year-old Barry Rucker, of Brownstown, was shot by police responding to a report of domestic disturbance outside the station at Poplar and Walnut streets at about 8 in the morning.

Rucker was arguing with a woman when two officers from the Brownstown Police arrived and during a dispute with the officers, Rucker pulled a gun. Both officers fired at least once and Rucker was struck by at least one of the bullets.

Jackson County deputies arrived on the scene and along with the Brownstown officers provided first aid to Rucker until paramedics arrived and took him to Schneck Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Streets around the police station were closed down for about 8 hours during the investigation. Brownstown Community Schools were briefly locked down during the incident, until it was determined that there was no threat to any of the schools, Wheeles says.

Neither the woman nor the involved officers have been identified.

Updated: Hoover drops out of city council race

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the process to replace Hoover on the ballot.

The Democratic candidate for Columbus City Council District 3 says she is ending her run for office, but her name will still appear on the ballot.

Nancy Hoover, a retired educator is dropping out of the race due to health reasons. She said that it is not an emergency, but something she needed to do to stay healthy.

Hoover was unopposed in the Democratic primary election. Her name will still be on the primary ballot when early voting starts next week, says County Clerk Jay Phelps. She won’t be able to officially withdraw from the race until after the primary, Phelps said.

Democrats will have until July 15th to hold a caucus to remove her name from the ballot, and 30 days after that to add a name to the ballot, if they choose to.

Any Democratic replacement will face the winner of the Republican primary. That battle is between incumbent David Bush and challenger Russ Poling.

CPD arrest wanted Hartsville resident

Tony Hiatt; photo courtesy of Columbus Police Dept.

Columbus Police arrested a wanted Hartsville man Tuesday afternoon.

At approximately 4:15 p.m., officers saw 55-year-old Tony W. Hiatt standing outside of a vehicle in the 1500 block of State Street. Officers confirmed the Bartholomew County warrant for Hiatt’s arrest and he was taken into custody. Police reported finding methamphetamine while searching Hiatt before transporting him to jail.

Hiatt is facing a new charge of Possession of Methamphetamine.

Jackson County man shot and killed outside of Brownstown PD

A Jackson County man was shot and killed during an incident Wednesday morning outside the Brownstown Police Department.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Indiana State Police Post in Versailles, says that 53-year-old Barry Rucker, of Brownstown, was shot by police responding to a report of domestic disturbance outside the station at Poplar and Walnut streets. That argument reportedly involved Rucker and an unidentified woman.

Rucker was later pronounced dead after being taken to Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

The names of the two officers involved in the shooting have not yet been released. Network Indiana is reporting that the officers are on administrative leave pending a full investigation.