WARSAW — A man is facing methamphetamine and theft-related charges from two alleged incidents.

Melvin Santana-Slone

Melvin Sananta-Slone, 36, 522 North Parker Street, Warsaw, faces charges of dealing in methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. From a separate incident, he faces theft, a class A misdemeanor.

On Oct. 17, 2019, a Warsaw Police officer working with NET43 purchased approximately four grams for methamphetamine from Santana-Slone, according to the affidavit of probable cause. The alleged exchange was recorded via audio and video.

On Dec. 2, 2019, he allegedly withdrew $641.54 from a victim’s bank account. According to court paperwork, Santana-Slone did not have permission to withdraw funds from the account.

Santana-Slone was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail March 11 with an additional count of misdemeanor failure to appear.

His initial bond was $20,850 surety and cash.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is requesting your assistance in finding people wanted on felony or misdemeanor warrants. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these persons, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office at (574) 267-5667.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office is requesting your assistance in finding people wanted on felony or misdemeanor warrants. If you have any information on the whereabouts of these persons, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office at (574) 267-5667.

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 Office before any action is taken. If a person feels a warrant is listed in error, contact the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

Notice

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

North Webster

Officers with North Webster Police Department  investigated the following accident:

12:43 p.m. March 13, on 132 N. Main St., near North Webster, on private property. Two vehicles backed into each other in a parking lot. Drivers: Carolyn Stockman, 65, 46 EMS B48 Lane, Warsaw; Nancy Russell, 70, of 11225 Vemers Ford Road, Columbia, Mo. Damage: Up to $2,500.

Warsaw

Officers with Warsaw Police Department  investigated the following accidents:

2:29 p.m., March 13, at 945 N. Parker St., Warsaw. Driver: Dennis Young, 63, 313 E. Main St., Atwood. Young’s vehicle struck a parked car registered to Pamela Dohner, of East CR 900S, Claypool, which had the driver’s door open. Damage: Up to $2,500.

1:29 a.m. March 15, on 214 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw, a two-vehicle accident. Driver: Steven  Vandyke, 39, 655 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw.  Vandyke hit a parked vehicle registered to Kaeli Long, of 2246 West CR 100S, Warsaw. Vandyke left the scene and told police he thought it was just a guardrail that he struck. An alcohol test came back with a BAC of 0.107. He was later arrested. Damage: Up to $2,500.

CLAYPOOL — A man faces multiple charges after allegedly stealing a firearm after an alleged argument.

Jesse Messer

Jesse Hurst Messer, 53, 7528 West Seward Drive, Claypool, faces charges of possession of a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony; possession of methamphetamine; two counts of theft, a level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor.

On Feb. 26, an Indiana State Police officer began investigating a report of a stolen firearm. Upon arrival, the victim claimed the firearm was stolen by Messer after an argument, said the affidavit of probable cause.

The victim claimed Messer was staying at the victim’s residence. The two started an argument after the victim allegedly found out that Messer was using drugs and attempted to kick him out. The victim allowed Messer to live in his Chevrolet TrailBlazer, said the affidavit.

Also on Feb. 26, the victim returned from work and found Messer had returned to find Messer in the basement. A physical fight broke out between the two. According to the affidavit, at some point, Messer took the victim’s firearm. He left the residence on foot.

Police found Messer in a silver Dodge Durango at a public access site on Beaver Dam Lake. Messer consented to a vehicle search, according to the affidavit. He acknowledged the situation regarding the allegedly stolen firearm. He agreed to return the firearm to the victim.

Police took the firearm from Messer.

Police searched the vehicle. They found a lightbulb and a plastic tube that allegedly contained residue from methamphetamine. A backpack that contained an open package of fentanyl was found as well, said the affidavit.

The victim allowed police to search his garage where Messer previously stayed. Police allegedly found a white Dodge Ram that was discovered to be stolen from Perry County, Kentucky. The victim said Messer drove the vehicle when he first arrived at the residence.

The vehicle belonged to AAA Mine Service, Messer’s previous employer, said the affidavit.

On Feb. 26, Messer was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail. He was later released on his own recognizance.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

6:49 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 1150 Husky Trail, Warsaw. Driver: Kenneth L. Yost, 74, North Vicky Lane, Warsaw. Yost’s vehicle collided with a concrete light pole. Damages up to $10,000.

7:31 p.m. Friday, March 13, 1000 Husky Trail, Warsaw. Drivers: Julie M. Valentine, 64, Deerfield Path, Warsaw; and Tammy J. Prater-Whitacre, 56, West CR 450S, Albion. Valentine said her vehicle slid on cat food spilled on the ground causing her vehicle to collide the passenger side front wheel area of Prater-Whitacre’s vehicle. Damages up to $5,000.

2:34 p.m. Friday, March 13, East Center Street near North Buffalo Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Amber L. Fry, 27, East Center Street Apt. 7B, Bourbon; and Matthew D. Lemler, 40, Bluewater Drive, Warsaw. The front of Fry’s vehicle collided with the rear of Lemler’s vehicle. Damages up to $10,000.

Kosciusko County

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following incident:

• 4:57 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 100 block EMS D21C Lane, Syracuse. Officers investigated a reported theft of a temporary license plate. Value: $50.

Syracuse

Officers with the Syracuse Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 4:06 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 300 block North Huntington Street, Syracuse. Officers investigated a report of invasion of privacy.
• 12:37 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, 1000 block North Huntington Street, Syracuse. Officers investigated a report of misdemeanor battery.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 11:48 p.m. March 15, 900 block Anchorage Road, Warsaw. Officers investigated a report of misdemeanor battery.
• 3:45 p.m. March 15, 1200 block West Winona Avenue, Warsaw. Officers investigated a report fo sexual battery.

Kosciusko County

The following people have been booked into Kosciusko County Jail:

Milford

Officers with the Milford Police Department investigated the following incidents:

• 8 a.m. Monday, March 16, 200 block North Main St., Milford. Andrew R. Miller reported criminal mischief to a building.
• 12:50 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 400 block North Old SR 15, Milford. Jesus G. Hernandez reported burglary.
• 12:25 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 100 block West Van Buren St., Leesburg. John M. Croy reported a hit-and-run vehicle accident that resulted in property damage.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 1:49 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 700 block North Parker St., Warsaw. A representative for Lassus Handy Dandy reported the usage of a counterfeit $100 bill.

FORT WAYNE — A Warsaw man died Sunday morning after he was shot inside a vehicle north of Fort Wayne.

At 3:30 a.m. Sunday, March 15, the Allen County Coroner’s Office was contacted and advised of a shooting investigation at the 5300 block of Hursh Road in Allen County.

The victim was identified as Nicholas Phillips, 36, Warsaw.

According to authorities, Phillips was found in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.

According to a news release from the Allen County Sheriff’s Department, the investigation also determined that a disturbance had occurred prior to the shooting and a second victim was also taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries sustained during the disturbance.

Phillips’ cause of death was ruled a gunshot wound to the head and it has been ruled a homicide.

This is the 10th homicide in Allen County for 2020. The incident remains under investigation by the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office and the Allen County Coroner’s Office.

Kosciusko County

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

12:07 p.m. Monday, March 16, East Armstrong Road, east of North CR 200E, Leesburg. Driver: Marita S. Workman, 65, EMS T26B Lane, Leesburg. Workman was traveling east on North Armstrong Road when her vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility box. No injuries were reported in the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

6:41 a.m. Monday, March 16, South County Farm Road, north of West CR 1050S, Silver Lake. Driver: Dallas A. Fields, 25, East 2nd Street Extension, North Manchester. Fields was traveling north on South County Farm Road when a deer entered the roadway. Damage up to $5,000.

4:52 a.m. Monday, March 16, North CR 800W, south of West CR 750N, Etna Green. Driver: David R. Bauer, 40, South CR 100E, Claypool. Bauer was traveling north on CR 800W when a deer entered the roadway. Damage up to $10,000.

11:13 p.m. Sunday, March 15, West CR 1350N, east of North CR 400W, Milford. Driver: Mark T. Simmons, 32, South Van Hemert Drive, Syracuse. Simmons was traveling west on CR 1350N when a deer entered the roadway. Damage up to $5,000.

8:28 p.m. Saturday, March 14, East Mill Street, north of East US 30, Warsaw. Drivers: Austyn J. McCord, 18, East US 30 117, Pierceton; and Garrett S. Roth, 18, CR 21, New Paris. McCord was traveling north across US 30 when he entered the westbound lanes of traffic, pulling out in front of Roth’s vehicle. McCord complained of stomach and right shoulder pain and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Damage up to $5,000.

6:33 p.m. Saturday, March 14, South SR 13, north of South CR 675E, Pierceton. Driver: Jaynee L. Miller, 17, South Side Drive, Warsaw. Miller was traveling north on SR 13 when an oncoming unknown vehicle crossed the center line of traffic, causing Miller to veer her vehicle to the right. As she did so, her vehicle struck a guardrail. No injuries were reported in the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

5:08 p.m. Saturday, March 14, North SR 13, south of East CR 1000N, Syracuse. Driver: Silvia S. Reyes, 52, North SR 15 18, Warsaw. Reyes was traveling south on SR 13 when a deer entered the roadway. Damage up to $5,000.

10:50 p.m. Friday, March 13, North CR 650E, north of East CR 200N, Warsaw. Driver: Craig A. Summers, 35, West Main Street, Warsaw. Summers was traveling north on CR 650E when a raccoon entered the roadway. Damage up to $2,500.

6:17 p.m. Friday, March 13, North SR 13, north of East CR 1000N, Syracuse. Driver: Sherry R. Hughes, 73, North Harrison Street, Syracuse. Hughes was traveling south on SR 13 when a deer entered the roadway. Damage up to $2,500.

9:10 a.m. Friday, March 13, South Dwight Drive, near West CR 200S, Warsaw. Drivers: Ashley D. Dillon, 36, EMS T34 Lane, Leesburg; and Wendy N. Vanhoozer, 41, North Main Street, Milford. Dillon was traveling on Dwight Drive when she rear-ended Vanhoozer’s vehicle. No injuries were reported in the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

Milford

Officers with the Milford Police Department investigated the following accident:

2:33 a.m. Sunday, March 16, CR 1350N, east of CR 200W, Milford. Driver: Joseph L. Yoder, 23, Union Street, Shipshewana. Yoder was traveling west on CR 1350N when his vehicle left the roadway, striking a utility pole. Damage up to $5,000.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accidents:

2:42 p.m. Monday, March 16, SR 15, north of West CR 350N, Warsaw. Drivers: Ronald J. Opple, 58, East SR 14, Rochester; and Kathleen A. Cole, 53, West Beachwood Avenue, Warsaw. Opple was traveling south on SR 15 when he rear-ended Cole’s vehicle. No injuries were reported in the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

1:12 p.m. Monday, March 16, SR 15, south of East Prairie Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Ruth M. Steffen, 26, East CR 900S, Claypool; and Juan A. Martinez, 23, East Market Street, Warsaw. Steffen was traveling south on SR 15 when she rear-ended Martinez’s vehicle. Steffen complained of chest pain and Martinez complained of neck pain as a result of the accident. Damage up to $10,000.

10:26 a.m. Monday, March 16, 310 E. Main St., Warsaw. Driver: Leslie E. Barna, 59, Dogwood Lane, Warsaw. Barna was parking her vehicle when her vehicle accelerated and struck a sign. Damage up to $5,000.

Kosciusko County

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

• 9:04 p.m. Monday, March 16, 3600 block West CR 100N, Warsaw. Nathan D. McFadden reported theft. Value: $200.
• 10:46 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 8200 block East US 30, Pierceton. Bryan D. Drake and Cayla N. Drake reported the theft of a Marine Corps uniform. Value: $500.
• 5:56 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 7100 block North SR 13, North Webster. Lindsey A. Babin reported theft. Value: $150.
• 12:19 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 100 block West Van Buren St., Leesburg. Christa L. Croy reported a hit-and-run vehicle accident.
• 10:06 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 7500 block West Old Road 30, Warsaw. Donald J. Uhl reported the theft of tools from a storage unit. Value: $3,300.
• 5:15 a.m. Saturday, March 14, 300 block North Tower St., Etna Green. Officers investigated a report of battery resulting in bodily injury and criminal mischief.
• 2:14 p.m. Friday, March 13, 3400 block East CR 750N, Leesburg. Mary Campbell reported the theft of a ring.
• 1:54 p.m. Friday, March 13, 4300 block North Aspen Drive, Warsaw. Susan D. Weber reported identity deception.
• 10:34 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2100 block South SR 13, Pierceton. Officers assisted a citizen regarding a complaint against a person.
• 10:19 a.m. Friday, March 13, 7600 block East CR 150S, Pierceton. Officers investigated a report of a protective order violation.
• 7:32 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 400 block South Seventh St., Pierceton. Officers investigated a report of battery resulting in bodily injury.

North Webster

Officers with the North Webster Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 2:52 p.m. Monday, March 16, 100 block South Main St., North Webster. Tori A. Kissinger reported identity fraud.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 8:40 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2500 block Walton Blvd., Warsaw. A representative for Walmart reported theft. Value: $190.92.

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Kosciusko County

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following accident:

4:22 a.m. Thursday, March 12, North SR 15 near West Plum Street, Leesburg. Drivers: Joshua S. Foreman, 43, North Southwinds Trial, Warsaw; and Brandi M. Walters, 34, Meadow Ridge Drive, Goshen. Foreman’s vehicle pulled out in front of Walter’s vehicle causing the front of Walter’s vehicle to collide with the front left side of Foreman’s vehicle. Foreman complained of a minor head injury. Damages up to $10,000.

Winona Lake

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

4:07 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, South Packerton Road near East Masters Lane, Winona Lake. Driver: Cecil W. Poe, 55, North Ogden Road, North Manchester. While driving, the right front wheel separated from Poe’s vehicle, disabling the vehicle. The wheel caused damage to the right front fender, severed brake lines, damaged the wheel hub and bearing. The wheel sheared off the caliper mounting bracket. Damages up to $2,500.

Fulton County

Officers with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following accidents:

6:34 p.m. Sunday, March 15, US 31 and East 450N, Rochester. Drivers: Michael W. Williams, 46, Converse and Brandon D. Weller, 26, Rochester. Both drivers were checked by paramedics. Williams’ vehicle hit Weller’s vehicle.

12:23 p.m. Friday, March 13, US 31, south of Wabash. Driver: Kevin B. Hughes, 66, South Bend. Hit deer.

Marshall County

Officers with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department investigated the following accident:

10:28 p.m. Friday, March 13, US 31, north of US 30, Plymouth. Driver: Colin A. Straub, New Carlisle. Straub’s vehicle went off the south side of the ramp while merging from US 30 onto US 31, hitting several traffic posts. Straub overcorrected causing the vehicle to go off the east side of US 31, rolling over and ejecting Straub. Straub suffered road-rash, abrasions and lacerations. he was airlifted to Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Kosciusko County

Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following incident:

• 12:06 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 300 block East Levi Lee Road, Warsaw. Officers investigated a report of criminal mischief.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following incident:

• 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2100 block East Center Street, Warsaw. Officers investigated a report of misdemeanor battery and public intoxication by alcohol/drugs.

Fulton County

Officers with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the following incident:

• 12:55 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 8800 block West Olson Road, Rochester. Leroy Karn reported the theft of a cabinet and lumber. Value $900.

Brian Charles Kirsch

WARSAW — A man was recently arrested after allegedly smothering and battering a woman.

Brian Charles Kirsch, 34, 1433 Cynthia Ave., Park Ridge, Ill., is charged with domestic battery with moderate bodily injury and strangulation, level 6 felonies; and interference with the reporting of a crime and resisting law enforcement, both class A misdemeanors.

On March 14, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer responded to a report of domestic battery at a residence. Upon arrival, after several attempts at knocking at the door, a woman answered and said a man had jumped from a second-floor balcony to flee the scene. The man, later identified as Kirsch, was pursued on foot and attempted to hide under a truck. Kirsch was given multiple commands by officers to stop running and come out from underneath the vehicle. He was then taken into custody. Officers also detected the smell of alcohol coming from Kirsch.

According to court documents, the woman told officers she woke up to Kirsch attempting to smother her. She attempted to fight Kirsch in order to escape. The woman said her mouth began to bleed and that Kirsch took her to the bathroom to clean her face.

The woman said she then called her parents and sent them photos of her injuries. While on the phone, Kirsch fled the residence when he overheard them speaking about calling authorities. The woman attempted to lock the residence so Kirsch could not return; however, he made entry back into the residence and took her cellphone. Kirsch then broke the woman cellphone’s when she told him she would contact law enforcement.

Kirsch was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on March 14, with a $5,250 surety and cash bond.

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Elkhart County

The following people were booked in the Elkhart County Corrections Facility:

Fulton County

The following people were booked in the Fulton County Jail:

Marshall County

The following person was booked in the Marshall County Jail:

Noble County

The following people were booked in the Noble County Jail:

Whitley County

The following people were booked in the Whitley County Jail:

Kosciusko County

The following people were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail:

Kosciusko County

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

8:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, West US 30 near North SR 19, Etna Green. Driver: Gregory L. Bilbrey, 59, Cedar Key CV, Fort Wayne. Bilbrey’s vehicle collided with a deer. Damages up to $5,000.

1:50 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, West CR 1350N near North CR 700W, Nappanee. Drivers: Samuel A. Valdivia, 85, North Main Street, Nappanee; and Jodean A. Lehman, 19, West CR 1350N, Milford. Valdivia’s vehicle proceeded into the intersection, causing a right angle collision with Lehman’s vehicle. Valdivia complained of neck pain. Damages up to $50,000.

11:36 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, North CR 300E near East CR 750N, Leesburg. Driver: Ashley K. Knafel, 48, North CR 300E, Syracuse. Knaffell’s vehicle left the roadway, struck a utility pole and a speed limit sign. Damages up to $25,000.

4:40 p.m. Friday, March 13, SR 13 near East CR 500N, North Webster. Drivers: Jillian D. Dawson, 19, CR 26, Elkhart; and Jessica M. Speicher, 37, East CR 500N, Leesburg. The front of Dawson’s vehicle collided with the rear of Speicher’s vehicle. Damages up to $2,500.

Warsaw

Officers with the Warsaw Police Department investigated the following accident”

2:40 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, North Lake Street near West Pike Street, Warsaw. Drivers: Devin H. Robinson, 20, North Lake Street 4, Warsaw; and Alice M. Edwards, 52, Chamberlin Drive, Warsaw. Robinson was driving his car out of his driveway. He said he did not see Edward’s vehicle as pulled into the street. The rear of Robinson’s vehicle collided with the front bumper of Edward’s vehicle. Damages up to $5,000.