Knox County – Monday night, April 29, at approximately 9:59, a Knox County Deputy was driving down Wilbur Street in Vincennes when he was flagged down by friends of Ross A. Darkis, 42, who resided at 215 Wilbur Street. Darkis was intoxicated and was in possession of a handgun on his front porch. He had been arguing with his girlfriend earlier in the evening and was very upset according to his friends. Additional officers from Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Vincennes City Police arrived. Officers attempted to get Darkis to surrender his weapon, but he refused. Officers used a taser and a weapon that discharges a small bean-bag in attempt to diffuse the situation, but both non-lethal weapons were unsuccessful. At approximately 10:25 p.m., Darkis raised the handgun he was holding toward the officers. In order to protect themselves and other officers on scene, several of the officers fired their weapons. Darkis was struck multiple times and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes where he was pronounced dead several minutes later. The identity of the Vincennes City Police Officers and Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy involved in the shooting are not being released at this time. No officers were injured. 

The investigation is continuing. 

DECEASED: 
• Ross A. Darkis, 42, 215 Wilbur Street, Vincennes, IN 

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police 
Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Department, Vincennes City Police and Knox County Coroner’s Office 

Knox County – Wednesday afternoon, April 10, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Trooper Doug Francis was patrolling on Henderson Road near Niblack Road when he observed a driver that appeared to be texting while traveling north on Henderson Road. As Trooper Francis was turning around to follow the 1998 GMC Sonoma, the driver disregarded the stop sign at Niblack Road. The driver accelerated and continued east at a high rate of speed. Trooper Francis activated his emergency lights when he turned onto Niblack Road, but he lost sight of the vehicle. A concerned citizen informed Trooper Francis the vehicle was seen traveling toward Willow Street. Francis immediately drove toward Willow Street and observed the vehicle sitting in the parking lot at Maple Park Apartments. The driver, who was later identified as Chris Davis, 33, of Vincennes, was located in apartment #32. He was arrested without incident and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond. Further investigation revealed Davis nearly struck two children on bicycles while they were on Niblack Road and that he fled from Trooper Francis because he had an expired license plate on his vehicle. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Chris Davis, 33, 4527 South School House Road, Vincennes, IN 
1. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class D Felony 
2. Criminal Recklessness, Class A Misdemeanor 


Arresting Officer: Trooper Doug Francis, Indiana State Police 
Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Department and Vincennes Police 

Knox County – Sunday night, March 31, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Indiana State Police were assisting Vincennes Police with a meth lab that was discovered in a room at the Econo Lodge located at 600 Old Wheatland Road in Vincennes. While troopers were waiting for a search warrant for the motel room, Elias Brock, 42, of Vincennes, drove his vehicle into the parking lot. Troopers detected a chemical odor commonly associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine coming from his vehicle. During a search, troopers found ingredients commonly used to manufacture meth and approximately 448 grams of meth. Brock was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Elias A. Brock, 42, 1028 Barnett Street, Vincennes, IN 
1. Manufacturing Meth over 3 grams, Class A Felony 
2. Possession of Meth over 3 grams, Class A Felony 
3. Possession of Precursors, Class D Felony 

Arresting Officers: Trooper Doug Francis, Trooper Brandon Deig and Trooper Paul Stolz 
Assisting Agency: Vincennes Police

Knox County – Thursday afternoon, March 7, Indiana State Police searched the Vincennes area for Shane Burke, 38, of Vincennes, after obtaining information a felony warrant had been issued for his arrest for failing to appear in Lawrence County, Illinois, for possession of methamphetamine and a controlled substance. 

At approximately 6:30 p.m. yesterday evening, troopers received information Burke was at a residence located at 429 North 3rd Street, Apartment 2, Vincennes. When troopers arrived at the residence the homeowner answered the door. A quick search of the apartment was conducted and troopers found Burke and his girlfriend, Stephanie Snider, 21, in one of the bedrooms. Troopers also found meth, drug paraphernalia and 18 used syringes. Burke and Snider were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond. The homeowner was not arrested. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Shane L. Burke, 38, 1002 Dubois Street, Vincennes, IN 
1. Possession of Meth, Class D Felony 
2. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor 
3. Warrant – Failure to Appear for Possession of Meth and a Controlled Substance 
(Lawrence County, Illinois) 

• Stephanie Snider, 21, 1002 Dubois Street, Vincennes, IN 
1. Possession of Meth, Class D Felony 
2. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor 

Arresting Officers: Trooper Doug Francis and Trooper Paul Stolz, Indiana State Police 


SOURCE: Indiana State Police - Nixle

Knox County - Sunday night, March 3, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Indiana State Police attempted to stop a 2006 Dodge Stratus at 9th Street and Harrison Street in Vincennes after receiving information the driver was wanted out of Daviess County on a felony warrant for dealing methamphetamine. The driver, John Q. Wilkerson, 31, of Washington, failed to stop and fled south on 9th Street. After a brief chase on several area streets, Wilkerson stopped and fled on foot. Trooper Seth Rainey and his K-9 “Teague” arrived and tracked Wilkerson nearly five blocks before they found him hiding on a porch in the 800 block of Broadway. Rainey and his K-9 continued to search for Wilkerson’s jacket that he discarded while fleeing from police. The jacket was later found in an alley between Buntin and Broadway. A search of the jacket revealed methamphetamine, marijuana and paraphernalia. Wilkerson was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. 

Arrested and Charges: 
• John Q. Wilkerson, 31, Washington, IN 
1. Possession of Meth, Class D Felony 
2. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor 
3. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor 
4. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class D Felony 
5. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor 
6. Warrant- Dealing in Methamphetamine, Class B Felony (Daviess County) 

Arresting Officers: Trooper Doug Francis, Trooper Wes Alexander, Trooper Brandon Deig and Trooper Justin Bean 
Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Department and Vincennes Police 

Knox County – Thursday morning, February 28, at approximately 12:26 a.m., Trooper Doug Francis was patrolling in Vincennes when he used his radar and clocked a 1999 Toyota Camry traveling 34 mph in a 20 mph zone on 2nd Street near Reel Street. Francis then observed the driver disregard a railroad signal as a train was approaching State Street south of 2nd Street. Trooper Francis was able to stop the vehicle on 6th Street at St. Clair. The driver was identified as Jeremy Cooper, 22, of Vincennes. A front seat passenger was identified as Damon Kemp, 21, of Cannelburg, IN. While talking to the occupants Trooper Francis detected an odor of burnt marijuana. Troopers searched the vehicle and found a small amount of meth and drug paraphernalia between the front passenger seat and front door. During the course of the investigation it was determined the meth and paraphernalia belonged to Kemp and that Cooper had smoked marijuana and meth earlier. Cooper was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where further investigation revealed he was under the influence of marijuana and meth. Cooper and Kemp were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Jeremy Cooper, 22, 1513 Old Orchard Road, Vincennes, IN 
1. Driving While Intoxicated – Meth and Marijuana, Class C Misdemeanor 

• Damon Kemp, 21, Cannelburg, IN 
1. Possession of Meth, Class D Felony 
2. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor

SOURCE / PHOTOS: Indiana State Police

Knox County – Saturday night, February 23, at approximately 11:48 p.m., Indiana State Police and Vincennes City Police responded to a hit and run crash that escalated to a fight near 2nd Street and Patrick Henry Drive. When officers arrived they were told that the driver of a 1999 Toyota Corolla had struck an unattended parked car on Main Street in front of Old Towne Tavern. The bouncer of the tavern, Jeremy Eisenhut, 24, of Vincennes, was outside the tavern and witnessed the crash. The driver, who was later identified as Kurtis Waller, 21, of Lawrenceville, IL, eventually stopped near 2nd Street where he was approached by Eisenhut. After Waller was told that he needs to stay and that the police had been called, he allegedly struck Eisenhut in the face and then fled into the Bottom’s Up tavern located at 102 Main Street. Police entered the tavern and located Waller. During their investigation it was determined that Waller was under the influence of alcohol He was taken to the Knox County Jail where further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .16%. Waller is currently being held on bond in the Knox County Jail. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Kurtis Waller, 21, Lawrenceville, IL 
1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor 
2. Battery, Class B Misdemeanor 
3. Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class C Misdemeanor 

Arresting Officer: Trooper William Campbell, Indiana State Police 
Assisting Agency: Vincennes City Police 


SOURCE: Indiana State Police

Knox County – Friday night, February 22, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a residence located at 12860 North Old 41 in Oaktown to investigate a complaint of illegal drug activity. When troopers arrived, Richard Hamilton, 52, and Kimberly Catt, 53, were present. Troopers searched the residence and found meth, digital scales and paraphernalia. Hamilton and Catt were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Richard Hamilton, 52, 12860 North Old 41, Oaktown, IN 
1. Possession of Meth, Class D Felony 
2. Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Class D Felony 

• Kimberly Catt, 53, 12860 North Old 41, Oaktown, IN 
1. Possession of Meth, Class D Felony 
2. Visiting a Common Nuisance, Class B Misdemeanor 

Anyone with information concerning illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police at 1-800-852-3970. 

Investigating Officers: Trooper Doug Francis, Sergeant Bill Gadberry, Sergeant Jason Allen, 
Master Trooper Kevin Brown, Trooper Chris Dyer and Trooper William Campbell 


SOURCE: Indiana State Police

*UPDATED - RECENT PHOTO (FROM LATE 2012) ADDED BELOW

*ORIGINAL POST: Sullivan County - The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is currently working a missing person case and is seeking help from the public. The missing person is Shane R. Porter, age 37, of Dugger, Indiana. He is described as a white male, 6-02, 200 pounds, brown eyes, brown hair and last seen wearing blue jeans and a gray shirt. Porter is believed to be experiencing some family and mental issues. 

Preliminary investigation has revealed Porter was last seen on Friday, February 8th around 5:15p.m. at his home in Dugger. Since that time, Porter has failed to report for work in Vincennes or contact any of his family members. 

On Friday evening, February 8th at 8:50 p.m., Vincennes City Police received a report from a citizen that a man was swimming in the Wabash River near the Pearl City area of Vincennes, which is just south of the George Rogers Clark Memorial. Attempts by the caller to engage in conversation with the alleged swimmer were unsuccessful. Indiana Conservation Officers were called to the scene Friday evening and have been aggressively searching the Wabash River on a daily basis. DNR officers have yet to find the alleged swimmer or know for sure if the man in the water was Shane Porter. 

Porter’s vehicle was recovered Sunday evening in a parking area near the Wabash River and has been impounded pending examination by Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators. 

The case is ongoing and anyone with information on Shane R. Porter or his whereabouts is urged to contact ISP Detective Tom Hanks or Trooper Polly Blackburn at the Putnamville Post 765.653.4114. 

Questions concerning the Indiana Conservation Officers should be directed to ICO Joe Haywood at 812.837.9536. 

Questions concerning the ISP investigation should be directed to ISP Sergeant Joe Watts. 

Assisting agencies were the Vincennes Police and Fire Departments, Vincennes Township Fire Dept., Knox County Emergency Management. 


SOURCE/PHOTO: Indiana State Police

Knox County – Sunday evening, February 10, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Trooper William Campbell was patrolling U.S. 41 near U.S. 50 when he observed a 2006 Pontiac traveling southbound at 78 mph in a 60 mph zone. Before stopping the vehicle, Trooper Campbell observed the vehicle make several unsafe lane movements. When Campbell approached the vehicle he detected a strong odor of burnt marijuana. The driver was identified as Gregory Ricker, 19, of Indianapolis. Two passengers in the vehicle were identified as Kenneth Cote, 29, of Columbus and Joshua Highbaugh, 18, of Indianapolis. All three men attend school at University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. Trooper Campbell noticed Ricker’s balance was unsteady when he was told to exit the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, Trooper Campbell found a bag that contained a bottle of Tequila, several smoking devices and a measuring scale. Further investigation revealed the driver and passengers had been smoking marijuana within the past two hours. Ricker was taken to the Daviess County Hospital where further investigation revealed he was driving under the influence of marijuana. All three men were taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Gregory Maxwell Ricker, 19, Indianapolis, IN 
1. Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance, Class C Misdemeanor 

• Joshua Highbaugh, 18, Indianapolis, IN 
1. Reckless Possession of Paraphernalia, Class B Misdemeanor 
2. Possession of Alcohol, Class C Misdemeanor 

• Kenneth Cote, 29, Columbus, IN 
1. Reckless Possession of Paraphernalia, Class B Misdemeanor 

Arresting Officer: Trooper William Campbell, Indiana State Police 
Assisting Agency: Knox County Sheriff’s Office