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.

A Flat Rock man is in critical condition 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. As of Wednesday morning, authorities say that he is in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

Sheriff Matt Myers says this crash should serve as a reminder for all drivers to be aware. He says that motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than other vehicles. “When sharing the road with a motorcycle, increase the driving distance between your vehicle and the motorcycle and always give a motorcycle a little more space”, said Myers.

Correction: Fred Barnett is the code enforcement officer for the city of Columbus. An earlier version of this story had his name incorrect. We apologize for the error.

The city of Columbus has taken the first steps in making it easier to fine those with junked and inoperable vehicles that can be seen from the street. City Council gave initial approval to amend the city’s ordinance dealing with these types of vehicles. Mary Ferdon, the city’s director of administration, says that the amended ordinance cleans up some ambiguous language regarding where these vehicles can be parked and when they constitute a nuisance.

If approved on second reading, city code enforcement officers will be able to “tag” offending vehicles on public property. Currently, Ferdon says that code enforcement must call a city police officer to handle that duty. Code enforcement is also tasked with notifying property owners of offending vehicles in order to have them removed. These notices will be sent to the property owner and not the registered owner of the vehicle. Fred Barnett, with city code enforcement, says that some 70 percent of offending vehicles are on rental property. By making the property owner liable for any potential fines, he says that he believes that will expedite the process for getting inoperable and unlicensed vehicles removed.

Penalties under the ordinance were also discussed. They are as follows:

First offense – $250 fine
Second offense – $500 fine
Third offense – $1,000 fine
Fourth offense – $2,500 fine
Subsequent offenses – $5,000 fine

In an effort to clean up the community and assist residents who may be unable to remove a junk vehicle, the city has announced the Inoperable Vehicle Abatement Program. City officials say that, under the plan, owners of offending vehicles will be able to have them towed away, at no charge. All they would have to do is present the city with proof of ownership and a clear title. The owner would then sign a waiver and the city pays the towing fee. Vehicle owners would receive the full metal value of the scrapped vehicle. This program is set to go into effect on October 1st.

Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers is asking for a nearly one-million dollar budget increase, as well as additional manpower, for 2018. The sheriff unveiled his proposed budget during Tuesday afternoon hearings before the county council. The sheriff divided his budget into two separate presentations: one for county corrections and the other for everything else.

During his presentation, Myers stressed that his leadership team took instruction from the county council in helping to better identify areas in which the department could improve and, potentially, save taxpayer dollars. These tools include Six Sigma and other programs. In addition, the department enlisted the help of Dana Vogt, a Cummins employee, in preparing Tuesday’s presentation.

Myers first addressed the situation facing deputies and other non-jail staff. He is asking for $3,967,326, a $356,525 increase over his 2017 budget. The sheriff says that the increases are largely confined to the purchase of 11 new vehicles, three new patrol deputies and a three-percent salary increase for employees.

Sheriff Myers argues that the increase in deputies is necessary, noting that response time for 911 calls is slower than what it was in 2016. He blames that on a bevy of reasons, including an increase in 911 calls, the ongoing opioid epidemic and inadequate patrol staffing. Myers cited the U.S. Department of Justice when he told council members that the county, outside of Columbus, only has about 70-percent of the officers it should, based on population. He says that those figures indicate that the department should have 59 officers when it only has 41.

Despite the apparent understaffing, the sheriff noted that he can’t realistically ask for 18 new deputies in a single year. Instead, his proposal calls for three new deputies for 2018, with four more phased-in through 2027. Citing the slower response time to 911 calls, Myers noted every moment matters, especially when you or a loved one needs help.

Sheriff Myers also expressed hope that an increase in deputies on the road will help save lives as it related to the county’s drug epidemic. Since 2015, drug overdose deaths in Bartholomew County, including Columbus, have gone from a single incident to 12 in 2016. So far in 2017, there have been 13 overdose deaths. Based on these figures, Myers says the department is forecasting 21 OD deaths. Authorities say that the death toll from drugs would be higher if not for officers’ use of Narcan. Last year, the sheriff says that 47 doses of the medication were administered by deputies and Columbus Police Officers, saving 35 lives. This year, authorities are on track to save 104 lives.

When it comes to operations at the county jail, Myers says the situation is much more dire. He explained that this year has seen the jail lose its classification due to overcrowding.The sheriff says that each month of this year has seen an “accelerated growth” in jail population. This includes an 18-percent increase in female inmates since 2016.

Myers is asking for $3,654,476 for the jail in 2018. That’s an increase of $626,219 over this year’s budget. The increases, he says, are largely confined to three areas: an increase in staff, an increase in food, medicine and other supplies for inmates, as well as a three-percent salary increase for staff.

Sheriff Myers cited a recent audit that showed the jail is not in compliance with standards set by the Department of Corrections. He says that the jail should have 16 more staff members that it currently does. This staffing inadequacy has led to fights, injuries to inmates and staff, as well as inmates being forced to sleep on cots. Myers says that jail staff are currently using overtime and some part-time help to deal with the situation. However, he says that sometimes leads to inconsistent results in dealing with inmate behavior, along with employee burn-out. In an effort to alleviate these issues, the sheriff is proposing an increase in staffing by seven full-time positions and an unspecified increase in part-time positions. Even with these improvements he stressed to council members that overtime will still be needed in the coming year.

Councilman Mark Gorbett, a former Sheriff, empathized with Myers and seemed to champion his successor’s efforts. He again chided his fellow council members for not doing enough to shore-up additional revenue for county operations. Myers thanked the council for considering his proposal, but finished with a note of concern. Noting the situation at the jail, he said, “Someone is going to get hurt. We cannot continue going down the path we’re going.

The council will make final budget decisions later this year.