Vanderburgh County – Monday night, May 20, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Trooper Wes Alexander stopped the driver of a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser for traveling 73 mph in a 50 mph zone on the Lloyd Expressway near McDowell Road. When Trooper Alexander approached the the vehicle he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed an open vodka bottle. The driver, Sarah Ricketts, 31, of Evansville, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Further investigation revealed Ricketts was six months pregnant and had a BAC of .19%. She was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where she is currently being held without bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGE: 
• Sarah Ricketts, 31, Evansville, IN 
1. Driving While Intoxicated with a Prior DUI Conviction, Class D Felony 

Arresting Officer: Trooper Wes Alexander, Indiana State Police 

Members of the Evansville Police Department have been working closely with the family of a local school student who filed a complaint against an EPD Officer last week. The family has decided that they do not wish to file criminal charges against the officer. The EPD made it clear to the family that they would pursue the charges the same as they would with any other citizen. The mother advised that the student didn't want to see the officer charged criminally and the parents concurred with his wishes. 

Although the criminal investigation has ended, an Internal Investigation has now begun. The officer will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.


SOURCE: Evansville Police Department - Nixle

FROM THE EVANSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT - FACEBOOK:  On May 18th, Officer Kevin Mason and several other officers were sent to the 1300 block of W. Delaware for an assault in progress.

When the officers arrived, they found a man who had been mauled by a neighbor’s dog during an argument. Witnesses told the officers that the two men were arguing when the dog came out of the owner’s house and attacked the victim. The victim suffered severe injuries during the attack. 

Officer Mason checked the victim’s injuries as medical crews were called to the scene. One of the victim’s arms was badly injured and had blood squirting from it. Officer Mason used a tourniquet to control the bleeding. When medical crews arrived, the bleeding was completely controlled and they were able to concentrate their care on the victim’s other injuries. One of the EFD personnel on scene commented that the amount of blood the victim was losing could be life threatening if not immediately controlled. 

The EPD recently purchased tourniquets for all of the officers. All of the officers have been trained on when and how to use them. This newly acquired equipment and training has proven to be a difference maker. We commend Officer Mason on his quick action during this incident.

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and key City department heads began two days of Lean training this morning at Innovation Pointe, 318 Main St. Lean training is another step being implemented by Mayor Winnecke to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City government.

In his 2013 State of the City speech, Mayor Winnecke announced a new initiative that will look for ways to streamline city government processes and make it easier for the public to do business with the City of Evansville.

Lean training is being offered through a unique partnership between the City and the University of Southern Indiana Center for Applied Research and Economic Development (CARED). CARED Director Daniela Vidal will train City department heads to evaluate the services their office provides, identify hidden wastes and streamline the process to make it more effective in servicing customers. Department heads will then share what they have learned with other members of their departments.

At the end of the two-day training session, department heads will identify areas for improvement that will become the first City projects to apply the Lean thinking process. The City will continue to look for additional projects to apply Lean thinking, with the overall goal of enhancing customer service and implementing a culture of continuous improvement.


SOURCE: www.evansville.in.gov

Industrial Contractors will be closing the far right (inside) lane of Division St between Mary St and Oakley St on Monday, May 20th. This is adjacent to the existing Berry Plastics facility. The lane closure will last about 2 months. 

Earlier today, I was notified by the EVSC that a parent had lodged a complaint about an incident involving a student and an EPD officer who was working off-duty at one of its schools. The parent believed the officer had committed a battery against the student and wanted the incident investigated. The Coordinator of Safety and Security for the EVSC has begun an investigation at the school and notified the EPD. The EPD has also opened a criminal investigation into the incident. 

As Chief, I take these allegations seriously and want to assure the public generally and those involved specifically that we will conduct a thorough investigation. Maintaining the public trust is crucial to having a successful police department and I will not tolerate actions that violate that trust. 

The officer involved in the incident was immediately placed on administrative leave. The officer will remain on leave while the incident is being investigated. 

Until the investigation process is final, the EPD cannot comment further due to state law and its collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police. 

Billy Bolin 
Chief of Police


SOURCE: Evansville Police Department - Nixle

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke’s “Fitness in the Park” program will join Pushups for Charity Saturday, May 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Evansville State Hospital Park to raise money for services to aid wounded military veterans. 

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and the official welcome will be at 9 a.m. Pushups for Charity begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by an exercise boot camp, a family fun walk/run, Box-Fit, Yoga and Zumba.

Pushups for Charity 2013 is organized locally by Custom Fit Personnel Training and Bob’s Gym. It is part of a national effort to raise $300,000 for the Boot Campaign, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and support to troops.

“Fitness in the Park” is a health and fitness initiative launched by Mayor Winnecke as part of his Energize Evansville initiative to promote healthier lifestyles. Fitness in the Park is held the third Saturday of each month at a different city park featuring local fitness trainer leading group exercises.

SOURCE: www.evansville.in.gov

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office expects to file felony charges against several members of a criminal group known as the “Felony Lane Gang”. The Sheriff’s Office believes that members of this group targeted vehicles parked at the Goebel Soccer Fields at 6800 N. Green River Rd during a soccer game on April 28, 2013. 

Seven reports were taken by Sheriff’s Deputies and in each case, a car window was broken and a purse stolen. 

Checks taken during these thefts were cashed in Louisville, KY and Warsaw, IN. Two persons, a male and female, were arrested in Warsaw and charged with several felonies related to cashing some of the checks stolen here. 

The “Felony Lane Gang” operates by having one group of people commit the vehicle break-ins followed by a second group who disguise themselves to resemble the victims’ identification photos. They then go to a bank drive-thru and utilize the furthest lane (the Felony lane) from the tellers to attempt to cash the checks. This group is reportedly from South Florida and travel across the country committing these crimes. 

Case files will be sent to the Prosecutor’s Office for possible additional charges on the two arrested and the investigation is continuing. 

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office urges citizens to not leave valuables in their vehicles. If they must, keep them out of sight and it would be best to lock them in the glove box or trunk. 

Arrested: Charges of Forgery Class C Felony and Theft Class D Felony 
Scott David Mahood, age 34, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 
Rebecka Lee Scoggins, age 37, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

SOURCE: Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office - Nixle