*WARNING: The following article contains information that may not be suitable for all readers.*

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was arrested after he raped a drunk female during a party at his house.

Todd Lynn Cornett II

Todd Lynn Cornett II, 18, 1022 E. Market St., Warsaw, is being charged with rape, a level 3 felony.

On June 25, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department spoke with a female victim. The victim stated she went to a party on June 23, at Cornett’s residence on Market Street. The female advised she became very intoxicated and Cornett offered to help her to the restroom. When she got to the restroom, the female blacked out.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the next thing the female remembers was being dragged outside and put into the back of a truck by Cornett. The female then blacked out again. The female remembers waking up inside the truck. At that point, Cornett was inappropriately touching her.

The female victim states that Cornett proceeded to rape her. The female attempted to push Cornett off of her and told him to stop. The female blacked out once again when Cornett was finished raping her. She then remembers being back inside the residence with her clothes on. The female victim had bruising in her legs and head and scratches on her inner thighs.

The officer spoke with Cornett who admitted to hosting a party that involved alcohol. Cornett told the officer that he had sexual intercourse with the female in the front seat of his truck.

Cornett was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on June 29, with a $25,250 surety and cash bond.

Alan Dilts

MARSHALL COUNTY — Alan Dilts, 19, Argos, has been arrested on an initial charge of child molestation, a level 3 felony. He was booked at the Marshall County Jail.

The case has been given to the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office for formal review and charges.

The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department received a complaint June 26 Dilts had inappropriate sexual contact with an underage female.

The sheriff’s department investigated the incident and found Dilts did have illegal contact with an underage female June 23, in the early morning hours at the residence in Marshall County.

Lesley Tranae Crawford

KOSCIUSKO — A Warsaw woman was arrested after helping steal items from Tractor Supply Company.

Lesley Tranae Crawford, 47, 277 E. Burkhart Drive, Warsaw, is being charged with aiding, inducing, or causing burglary, a level 5 felony; aiding, inducing, or causing theft, a class A misdemeanor; and sentence enhancement for aiding, inducing, or causing theft, a level 6 felony.

On June 19, officers responded to a report of burglary and theft at Tractor Supply Company.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, an employee noticed a hole had been cut in the chain link fence surrounding the building. Surveillance video showed two males and a female cutting the fence and stealing items from the business.

During that time, the store manager was in the back of the store helping a customer, later identified as Jeffery Allen Hutcherson, who was keeping him occupied. While Hutcherson did that, another male, identified as Anthony Brent Williams, removed a transfer pump, guerrilla tailgate lift and bolt cutters from the store. All of the items were valued at $679.98.

Williams brought the items into the fenced in area of the store and placed them by the service gate. A black Jeep SUV, operated by Crawford, pulled up to the fence and backed into a plow. Crawford, Hutcherson and Williams then left the business in the vehicle.

Officers went to Hutcherson’s residence and observed a black Jeep SUV with damage that appeared to be the result of backing into the plow. Officers then spoke with Crawford, who admitted that she drove Hutcherson and Williams to Tractor Supply Company. While Williams was cutting the fence, a male subject walked up to them. The three left the business and went back to her residence.

Williams and Hutcherson then returned to Tractor Supply Company and brought the stolen items near the service gate back to her residence. Williams kept the stolen items and took them to South Bend.

Hutcherson admitted that he drove Williams to Tractor Supply Company and helped him load items into a vehicle.

Crawford, Hutcherson and Williams have previously been convicted of theft. Williams has been convicted of theft 12 times in Indiana courts.

Crawford was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on June 29, with a $12,500 surety and cash bond. Hutcherson and Williams currently have warrants out for their arrests.

Jacob Vanblaircom

MARSHALL COUNTY — A several-month long investigation by Marshall County UNIT Officers was concluded Tuesday, June 26, with an arrest.

Jacob Vanblaircom, 21,  was being investigated for the illegal sales of narcotics. He was located in rural Marshall County Tuesday, June 26, where he was taken into custody.

Vanblaircom was booked on charges of dealing in cocaine, a level 2 felony; two counts of dealing in cocaine, a level 6 felony; two counts of maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony; and dealing in a controlled substance, a level 6 felony.

Vanblaircom is being held on $100,000 cash bond.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is requesting your assistance in locating subjects wanted on felony and/or misdemeanor warrants. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these wanted persons, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 267-5667. Those shown with no photos do not have photos on file with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Please Read Our Disclaimer

All warrants are the property of Kosciusko County. The age listed for each person is based on the event date not the current date. This list of wanted suspects is updated on a daily basis, but all warrants need to be verified through the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department before any action is taken. If a person feels a warrant is listed in error, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Notice

If you have information about the whereabouts of any of the listed suspects, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 267-5667, or contact the local police department.

Do not attempt to apprehend any of these suspects as they may be armed and dangerous.

Kosciusko

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Kosciusko

Officers from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accidents:

12:45 a.m. Saturday, June 30, East Armstrong Road, east of North Old SR 15, Leesburg. Driver: Samantha K. Kneller, 29, Calhoun Street, South Whitley. Kneller told police she was driving her vehicle eastbound on Armstrong Road when a deer entered the roadway. She was unable to avoid hitting the deer. Damage up to $5,000.

12:03 p.m. Friday, June 29, North Fox Farm Road and North CR 150W, Warsaw. Driver: William H. Vance, 38, West Division Road, Pierceton. Vance told police he was driving his vehicle westbound on Fox Farm Road when a deer entered the roadway. He was unable to avoid hitting the deer. Damage up to $5,000.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is requesting your assistance in locating subjects wanted on felony and/or misdemeanor warrants. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these wanted persons, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 267-5667. Those shown with no photos do not have photos on file with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Please Read Our Disclaimer

All warrants are the property of Kosciusko County. The age listed for each person is based on the event date not the current date. This list of wanted suspects is updated on a daily basis, but all warrants need to be verified through the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department before any action is taken. If a person feels a warrant is listed in error, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Notice

If you have information about the whereabouts of any of the listed suspects, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department at (574) 267-5667, or contact the local police department.

Do not attempt to apprehend any of these suspects as they may be armed and dangerous.

Kosciusko

The following people were booked into the Kosciusko County Jail:

Kosciusko

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accidents:

3:38 a.m. Monday, July 2, 1049 Chapman Lake Drive, Warsaw. Driver: Sheila S. Swinehart, 41, Chapman Lake Drive, Warsaw. Swinehart was backing out of a driveway when she struck the back of a parked, unoccupied vehicle. Damage up to $2,500.

7:25 p.m. Sunday, July 1, South Packerton Road, north of East CR 400S, Warsaw. Driver: Rebecca Bumgardner, 18, East CR 200N 98, Warsaw. Bumgardner was traveling north on Packerton Road when she overcorrected her vehicle, driving off the side of the roadway and striking a Century Link utility pole. Bumgardner had minor cuts from glass on the back of her legs but declined EMS. Damage up to $10,000.

1:31 a.m. Sunday, July 1, West CR 900S, west of South South Hill Drive, Warsaw. Driver: R.J. N. Plummer, 28, West Hill Lake Road, Claypool. Plummer was traveling west on CR 900S when a deer entered the roadway. Damage up to $1,000.

11:27 a.m. Friday, June 29, North CR 400E, near East CR 750N, Leesburg. Drivers: Katey L. Colburn, 32, East CR 900S, Fairmount; and John T. Clapacs, 74, Chaudion Court, Bloomington. Colburn was traveling east on CR 750N and wasn’t aware of the yield sign where CR 750N and CR 400E merge. Colburn’s vehicle traveled into the path of travel of Clapacs’ vehicle. Clapacs complained of right shoulder pain and was assessed by Lutheran EMS. Damage up to $25,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

11:37 p.m. Sunday, July 1, West Lake Street, west of Fox Farm Road, Warsaw. Driver: Nicholas A. Williamson, 35, South Southwood Drive, Warsaw. Officers responded to a rollover traffic accident and learned that the driver of the vehicle and a passenger had fled on foot from the accident. A witness assisted Williamson out of the vehicle. Williamson was located 400 yards west of the accident scene and taken into custody. Williamson consented to chemical testing. At the hospital, Williamson stated that he remembered going off the roadway and feeling like he was trapped in his vehicle. His vehicle collided with a large light pole. Williamson was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Damage up to $25,000.

7:39 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 6125 Heron Blvd., Warsaw. Driver: Debra L. Conway, 59, Heron Boulevard, Warsaw. Conway was backing from a parking spot when she struck a vehicle parked directly across the parking lot from her. Damage up to $2,500.

5:43 a.m. Sunday, July 1, West Center Street, south of South Hand Avenue, Warsaw. Driver: Clyde S. Allen, 34, Robin Drive, Warsaw. Allen’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a curb on the south side of West Center Street, striking a fire hydrant. Damage up to $5,000.

12:36 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 1200 Lake City Highway, Warsaw. Driver: Agnes A. Maurer, 71, East Old Road 30, Warsaw. Maurer was backing up her vehicle when she collided with the trailer hitch of a parked, unoccupied vehicle. Damage up to $5,000.

9:38 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 3600 block Commerce Drive, Warsaw. Drivers: Patricia A. Evans, 66, EMS B25 Lane, Pierceton; and Larry D. Hammer, 43, Fort Wayne Road, Rochester. Evans was pulling out of the entrance of McDonald’s when she struck Hammer’s vehicle. Damage up to $1,000.

1:53 p.m. Friday, June 29, 800 North Park Ave., Warsaw. Driver: Gretchen L. Hall, 36, Brusker Street, Warsaw. Hall was backing out of a parking spot when she hit a parked, unoccupied vehicle. Damage up to $1,000.

1:07 p.m. Friday, June 29, 1961 White Industrial Drive, Warsaw. Driver: Max D. Blue, 54, North 5th Street, Goshen. Blue entered his vehicle, which was pulling a trailer with a vehicle on it. As he pulled forward, his vehicle struck pedestrian Tyler A. Richter, 18, Warsaw. Richter was standing between the trailer and some recycling bins when the lug nuts of the trailer tires caught his jeans and pulled his foot underneath the trailer tires. Damage up to $1,000.

Kosciusko

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following incidents:

• 7:24 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 2300 block East CR 100N, Warsaw. Frank Scalet reported a vehicle that hit a mailbox and fled the area.
• 8 a.m. Sunday, July 1, 11300 block North Nash Drive, Syracuse. Brendan D. Miller reported the theft of an outboard motor from his boat. Value: $600.
• 11:19 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 12500 block South CR 300E, North Manchester. A subject stated that two people broke into his home and took his safe without permission. Value: $5,000.
• 8:51 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2300 block East CR 600S, Warsaw. Jared D. Pagan reported burglary and theft. Value: $5,001.
• 4:09 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 6900 block North Kalorama Road, Leesburg. Nancy J. Secor reported the theft of her son’s vehicle. Value: $4,000.
• 3:51 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 4000 block North Runkle Drive, Warsaw. Thomas F. Flenner reported the theft of a battery charger. Value: $300.
• 11:44 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 3100 block North Stoneburner Road, Warsaw. Ashton M. Stutzman reported the theft of a kayak from her front porch. Value: $210.
• 4:43 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 12600 block South SR 13, North Manchester. A community corrections officer reported that one of his inmates had been threatened with a gun.
• 4:33 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 900 block North Lake St., Warsaw. Parkview of Warsaw called and stated that a female minor was in their emergency room due to a dog bite.
• 4:29 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 3700 block North Oakwood Drive, Warsaw. James R. Hocking reported fraud. He stated that a collection agency was trying to collect $150.03 for Verizon Wireless.
• 4:24 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 5900 block West Decoy Road, Mentone. Roy F. Presley reported a lost or stolen license plate.
• 6:18 p.m. Friday, June 29, 5600 block South CR 200W, Claypool. Officers responded to a report of an animal bite.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 5:48 p.m. Friday, June 29, 700 block West North St., Syracuse. Brent J. Edwards reported burglary and theft. Items stolen include wood flooring and two window air conditioning units. Value: $2,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 7:13 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 1000 block East Fort Wayne St., Warsaw. Jason S. Lewis reported the theft of a bicycle. Value: $200.
• 6:55 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 1000 block Husky Trail, Warsaw. Cory M. Thomas reported the theft of a phone. Value: $299.
• 1:25 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 400 block North West St., Warsaw. Andres E. Martinez reported the theft of a power washer. Value: $300.
• 5:43 a.m. Sunday, July 1, 700 block West Center St. and South Hand Avenue, Warsaw. Officers responded to a report of a failure to stop after an accident.
• 3:38 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2500 block Walton Blvd., Warsaw. A Walmart associate reported a subject that made suspicious statements while making a purchase.
• 10:50 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 6200 block Heron Blvd., Warsaw. Noelia Castillo reported damage to her vehicle.
• 9:24 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2100 block Bluewater Drive, Warsaw. Officers responded to a report of offensive signs placed in a yard.
• 4:40 p.m. Friday, June 29, 300 block South Columbia St., Warsaw. Evelyn Tackett reported burglary. Items stolen include routers, a weed eater and a push mower. Value: $840.
• 5:40 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 600 block North Parker St., Warsaw. A possible illegal substance was turned in to law enforcement.

Winona Lake

Officers with the Winona Lake Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 12:43 p.m. Friday, June 29, 1200 block Bibler Ave., Winona Lake. Jaimi M. Andrew reported theft. Items stolen include prescription sunglasses. Value: $300.
• 11:09 a.m. Friday, June 29, 1200 block Bibler Ave., Winona Lake. Dominic J. Kurosky reported a stolen vehicle. Value: $5,600.

SYRACUSE — A Syracuse man was recently arrested after he entered a female’s house and then battered and strangled her.

Nolan Kyle Melchi

Nolan Kyle Melchi, 37, 11732 N. Elm Grove Drive, Syracuse, is being charged with strangulation, a level 6 felony; domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony; battery causing moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; residential entry, a level 6 felony; and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor.

On June 14, an officer spoke with a female at the Syracuse Police Department in reference to a domestic battery. The female had a black eye and a swollen lip with a cut.

According to the female, she was asleep in the early morning hours of June 14, when she heard a person enter her residence. Melchi, along with two minor children, entered her house without her consent. A verbal argument between Melchi and the female then broke out.

The affidavit of probable cause states that when the female asked Melchi to leave he struck her mouth with his fist, which knocked her to the ground. Melchi then used his arm to apply pressure to the female’s neck until she could no longer breathe. The incident occurred in front of the two minor children.

Melchi was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on June 29, with a $12,500 surety and cash bond.

The driver of the Hyundai complained of pain to the hip after the vehicle was struck by the heavy duty Dodge Ram. (Photos by Deb Patterson)

LEESBURG — One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident today at approximately 10:23 a.m. Monday, July 2. The accident was at Armstrong Road and CR 200E, east of Leesburg.

The female driver was taken to Parkview Hospital, Warsaw, by private vehicle. She reportedly complained of pain to the hip.

Initial reports indicate the driver of a Heavy Duty Dodge Ram was westbound on Armstrong Road when the female driver of the Hyundai Tucson, southbound on CR 200E, failed to see the truck and pulled out in front of it.

The truck struck the driver’s side of the Hyundai with both vehicles ending up in the cornfield on the southwest corner of the intersection. The collision also caused the fifth-wheel flatbed trailer being pulled by the Dodge to come unhitched and hit the back of the truck.

The driver of the truck and his passenger were not injured.

Lutheran EMS and Leesburg Fire Department responded. The accident is being investigated by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department.

Jordan Jeffrey Bronsing

Kimberly L. Northern

KOSCIUSKO — Two Warsaw individuals were arrested after beating a female and stealing her purse.

Jordan Jeffrey Bronsing, 18, 504 Fort Wayne St. C., Warsaw, is being charged with aiding, inducing, or causing robbery, a level 5 felony; and aiding, inducing, or causing theft, a class A misdemeanor.

Kimberly L. Northern, 18, 532 E. Center St. 4, Warsaw, is being charged with robbery, a level 5 felony; battery resulting in moderate bodily injury, a level 6 felony; and theft, a class A misdemeanor.

On June 29, officers with the Warsaw Police Department responded to a report of battery. Upon arriving at the scene, officers observed a female who had dried blood on her face, arms and legs. She also had several scrapes on her knees and elbows. Officers also saw bumps on her head under her hair and a large, swollen purplish lump on the top of her right foot.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the female subject was walking down Jefferson Street, near Victory Hotel, when two males and three females approached her and began yelling at her.

A female, identified as Northern, hit the female subject in the face. All five began punching and kicking the female as she was laying on the ground. They then stole her purse that contained a cell phone and medication.

Officers searched the area and located the female’s purse in the area of Little Caesars. They received information on subjects that matched the description of the suspects involved in the robbery and went to the intersection of Park Avenue and Arthur Street. Bronsing was one of the subjects at the intersection.

Bronsing stated that he, Northern, and the three other unnamed individuals were on Jefferson Street when the female subject yelled at them. Northern and the three other individuals also stated that the female subject called them names.

Northern admitted that she punched the female in the face and stole her purse.

Bronsing and Northern were booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on June 29, each with $6,500 surety and cash bonds.

Kosciusko

Officers from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accidents:

8:07 a.m. Monday, July 2, South SR 19, north of West CR 700S, Mentone. Drivers: Elizabeth G. Prater, 18, North Buffalo Street, Burket; Tyler A. Bruner, 30, South Stonebridge Road, Warsaw. Police said Prater was driving her vehicle southbound on SR 19, while Bruner was traveling northbound. The side mirrors of both vehicles collided. Bruner stated that Prater’s vehicle was over the center line. Damage up to $2,500.

6:57 a.m. Monday, July 2, South County Farm Road, south of east CR 800S, Claypool. Driver: Tiranda M. Stevens, 21, Robinson Lake Road, Pierceton. Police said Stevens was driving her vehicle north on County Farm Road and crested a hill at CR 800S, when her vehicle began sliding sideways and left the roadway. The vehicle then rolled sideways several times, ejecting the front seat passenger. The front seat passenger was airlifted to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, while Stevens and a juvenile male passenger were transported to Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne by ambulance. Damage up to $10,000.

5:28 a.m. Monday, July 2, West US 30, west of North CR 700W, Warsaw. Driver: Angelia L. Poor, 39, Dickson Street, Plymouth. Poor was driving her vehicle eastbound on US 30 when a deer entered the roadway. She was unable to avoid hitting the deer. Damage up to $2,500.

4:15 p.m. Sunday, July 1, North CR 100E and East CR 250N, Warsaw. Drivers: Michelle Meza, 17, EMS C29A Lane, Warsaw; Jessica L. Leasure, 35, East Walnut Street, Silver Lake. Meza was driving her vehicle north of CR 100E and did not notice that Leasure was stopped in her vehicle, preparing to turn, causing the rear-end collision. Damage up to $2,500.

12:28 a.m. Sunday, July 1, north SR 13 and East Old Road 30, Pierceton. Driver: Benjamin E. Stahl, 21, Water Crest Drive, Fishers. Stahl told police he was driving his vehicle northbound on SR 13 when a deer entered the roadway. He was unable to avoid hitting the deer. Damage up to $1,000.

6:24 p.m. Wednesday, June 27, North SR 13, south of East Vawter Park Road, Syracuse. Drivers: Thomas E. Finlinson, 73, Parent Drive, Warsw; Jacob T. Yagel, 21, East Ellsworth Street, Columbia City. Yagel told police he was driving his vehicle southbound on SR 13 and merged to the right to go around another vehicle that was turning east onto Vawter Park Road. At that time, Yagel said his vehicle was rear-ended by Finlinson’s vehicle. Finlinson told police he could not stop his vehicle in time to avoid the collision. Damage up to $5,000.

Claypool

Officers from the Claypool Police Department investigated the following accident:

4:40 a.m. Thursday, June 28, South SR 15, north of West CR 350S, Warsaw. Driver: John W. Caudill, 38, Chrysler Avenue, Wabash. Caudill told police he was driving his vehicle northbound on SR 15 when a deer entered the roadway. He was unable to avoid hitting the deer. Damage up to $5,000.

Warsaw

Officers from the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

2:22 p.m. Saturday, June 30, North Detroit Street, south of Jalynn Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Marcus M. Williams, 33, Roys Avenue, Elkhart; Matthew P. Rodgers, 24, South CR 600E., Pierceton. According to both drivers, Rodgers was driving his vehicle toward the intersection and began to slow before speeding up as if to drive through the intersection before finally stopping suddenly, causing Williams to then drive his vehicle into the rear of Rodgers’ vehicle. Damage up to $10,000.

1:31 p.m. Friday, June 29, East Center Street, east of South Park Avenue, Warsaw. Drivers: Ashlee R. Smith, 24, South Hickory Street, Warsaw; Dana L. Stahly, 73, South Briarwood Drive, Warsaw; Salvado Palacios-Sanchez, 37, North Teepee Drive, Warsaw. Stahly said she was driving her vehicle eastbound on Center Street and noticed the vehicle driven by Smith in the center two-way turn lane. She said she figured Smith was preparing to turn northbound on Park Avenue and proceeded to pass Smith’s vehicle on the right when Smith suddenly turned right, causing the collision, which in turn caused Stahly’s vehicle to collide with the vehicle driven by Palacios-Sanchez. Damage up to $10,000.

Kosciusko

Officers from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following incidents:

12:29 a.m. Monday, July 2, 9200 block of North Koher Road, Syracuse. Police reported to Steven Wells to investigate the theft of an aluminum ladder.

11:31 p.m. Friday, June 29, 3800 block of North SR 15, Warsaw. Police reported to Melissa Geitz to investigate the theft of a compound bow and crossbow. Value: $160.

Syracuse

Officers from the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incident:

4:38 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 700 block of South Huntington Street, Syracuse. Police reported to the Dollar General to investigate the theft of socks and Pepto Bismol.

Warsaw

Officers from the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incident:

10:10 a.m. Monday, July 2, 800 block of East Arthur Street, Warsaw. Police investigated a found bicycle.

Three people were injured when this Ford Focus was struck by a truck Wednesday, June 27, at Old SR 15 and CR 900N, south of Milford.

MILFORD — Three people were injured in a two-vehicle accident at North Old SR 15 and East CR 900N Wednesday, June 27, at 5:27 p.m., south of Milford.

Christina L. Swick, 38, North Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, one of the drivers, complained of pain to the shoulder/upper arm. Two passengers, in her vehicle, were also injured. Skylynn M. Swick, 15, North Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, complained of pain to the knee/lower leg/foot and Eric Swick, 17, North Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, complained of pain to the chest. All three were transported to a hospital to be checked for their injuries.

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department report Neil S. Schroder, 33, East SR 16, Twelve Mile, was southbound on Old SR 15 at CR 900N and failed to stop at the four-way stop sign. His 2013 GMC Sierra struck Swick’s eastbound 2002 Ford Focus.

Schroder pointed out to police the stop sign was partially blocked by foliage and the overhead red flashing light facing north was not functioning. Schroder tried to swerve to miss the Swick vehicle, but struck that vehicle in the driver’s door.

After impact Schroder’s vehicle crashed into the “junction box” owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Damage was estimated up to $50,000.

Lutheran EMS, Milford Fire Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.

Charles Braun

KOSCIUSKO — A Winamac man was sentenced in the Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, July 2, following an incident in March where Warsaw police responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver in the CVS parking lot.

Charles Edward Braun, 32, 4643 West CR 200N, Winamac, was found guilty of possession of a narcotic drug, a level 6 felony; and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a class C misdemeanor. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on March 4, Warsaw police were called to the CVS parking lot in response to a report of a suspected impaired driver. Police saw a parked vehicle that was not in a designated parking space. A female exited the vehicle and walked to the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Braun was sitting in the driver’s seat, appearing disoriented and displaying jerky body movements. Officers contacted emergency medical services for Braun, who was uncoordinated and confused.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, police searched the vehicle and discovered an uncapped syringe and an aluminum can containing a white residue. Both the syringe and residue tested positive for heroin.

The female admitted that she and Braun came from Winamac to Warsaw in order to purchase heroin. Braun admitted that he used heroin before leaving a motel.

Judge Michael Reed sentenced Braun to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail for the charge of possession of a narcotic drug. Braun was sentenced to 60 days in the Kosciusko County Jail for the charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently but consecutive to any sentence imposed in any other pending cases. 

Reed stated he would have no objection to Braun serving his sentence through Kosciusko County Work Release or Kosciusko County Community Corrections, provided Braun is qualified and accepted into one of the programs. 

Braun was given one day of jail time credit and ordered to pay court costs and fines. Reed also ordered that Braun’s driver’s license be suspended for 60 days beginning on his first day of release. 

One charge was dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement. 

Joshua M. Lainez

WARSAW — A Warsaw man is facing charges after stealing over $6,000 from his employer. 

Joshua M. Lainez, 29, 1320 Gable Drive, Warsaw, is being charged with four counts of theft, all level 6 felonies. 

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on March 26, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department was contacted by AVI Food Systems in reference to a theft from their company by an employee. 

An AVI fraud loss prevention specialist informed officers that Lainez stole $6,425 between July 2017 and January 2018. He advised he had spoken with Lainez, who admitted to stealing money from AVI Food Systems. 

Lainez reportedly stole large sums of money in July, August and September of 2017 and again in January of 2018. Officers spoke with Lainez, who admitted that he stole the money.

Lainez was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail Friday, June 29, on a $5,250 surety and cash bond. 

KOSCIUSKO — A Syracuse man faces domestic battery charges following an altercation where he was accused of hitting his girlfriend with a bench.

Austin Joseph Nine

Austin Joseph Nine, 33, 11637 N. Elm Grove Drive, Syracuse, is charged with domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony and domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor.

According to an affidavit from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, officers were called to the residence on Elm Grove Drive on June 9 to investigate a domestic disturbance.

Upon arrival, police interviewed a woman at the residence who told officers that she and her boyfriend, identified as Nine, had been arguing. She said she went outside and when she came back inside the residence, she saw Nine with a bench lifted approximately shoulder high. She said Nine struck her with the bench, hitting her in the right forearm and left ear, causing pain.

She told police a juvenile was present in the yard when the altercation occurred. Police reported the woman had redness to her ear and bruises and a lacerations on her right forearm.

According to the police report, Nine admitted throwing the bench, but stated he threw it outside the residence and that the woman walked into the path of the bench, causing her to be struck by the flying furniture.