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Battery at the bar
On March 18, officers of the Kokomo Police Department were dispatched to The Filling Station, 1918 W. Sycamore St., in reference to a battery. Upon arrival, officers were advised that a verbal altercation inside the bar resulted in two patrons being battered in the parking lot.
Subsequent investigation resulted in officers obtaining surveillance video depicting the suspect and a female who was accompanying the suspect. The Kokomo Police Department is asking for the assistance of the public to help identify the male and female in the still photos.
This case remains active for further investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding this case is asked to contact Officer Levi Purtee by email at lpurtee@cityofkokomo.org, Officer Issa Oliver by email at ioliver@cityofkokomo.org, the KPD Hotline at 765-456-7017, or by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip. You may also leave an anonymous tip by using the KPD Tip 411 app.
Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Shots fired at the inn
On March 23, at approximately 7:44 p.m., officers assigned to the Kokomo Police Department B Watch (afternoon) Patrol Division responded to the Days Inn (268 S. 00 E.W.) regarding a report of shots fired.
Officers arrived and located several spent shell casings in the parking lot on the east side of the business. Officers continued investigating the incident and developed a person of interest who was believed to be residing within room No. 180. It was believed the subject residing within this room was responsible for discharging a firearm while in the Days Inn parking lot.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the hotel room, and with the assistance of KPD C Watch (midnight) patrol officers, this search warrant was executed.
During the execution of the search warrant, items of evidence were located, but the suspect was not present. After the completion of the search warrant, officers left the Days Inn.
On March 24, at 1:11 a.m., officers assigned to the KPD C Watch Patrol Division were dispatched back to the Days Inn due to the suspect returning. C Watch officers arrived quickly and detained the male suspect who was identified as 42-year-old George Torres. Officers continued their investigation and located additional items of evidence.
As a result of this investigation, Torres was arrested and booked into the Howard County Jail for the following charges:
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon IC 35-47-2-1, a Level 5 Felony
Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon IC 35-42-2-2, a Level 6 Felony
Unlawful Carrying of a Handgun IC 35-47-2-1.5, an A Misdemeanor
Public Intoxication IC 7.1-5-1-3, a B Misdemeanor.
This case remains under investigation.
Anyone with additional information should contact Officer Levi Purtee #464 by email at lpurtee@cityofkokomo.org.
Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Vape burglars at large
On March 25, at approximately 9:39 p.m., officers of the Kokomo Police Department responded to Vape 765, 1012 S. Cooper St., in reference to a burglary alarm.
When officers arrived, they located a broken window on the west side of the business. Officers began investigating and learned this business had been burglarized.
During the investigation surveillance footage of the two suspects was obtained. The photos of the suspects are posted below, and the Kokomo Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance with identifying these individuals.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Sergeant Andrew Grammer #411 at 765-456-7411 or at agrammer@cityofkokomo.org. You may qualify for a cash reward by calling Central Indiana Crime Stoppers at 1-800-262-TIPS with your anonymous tip. Tips can also be submitted by utilizing the Tip411 app.
Remember, all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sheriff reports crime stats
Howard County Sheriff Jerry Asher and Task Force Coordinator Jacob Gibson presented the members of the Howard County Council with the 2023 year-end stats for the Task Force Unit. The Task Force Unit is made up of five detectives from the sheriff’s office who investigate a wide variety of crimes throughout Howard County and the State of Indiana. Below are the 2023 year-end stats:
Drugs seized:
Marijuana - 2,946 grams
Methamphetamine - 2,158 grams
Pills - 30 dosage units
Fentanyl (pure) - 755 grams
MDMA - 21 dosage units
Spice/lookalike - 5 grams
Cocaine - 404 grams
Heroin - 295 grams
LSD - 100 grams
Total: 14.8 lbs. of illegal narcotics
Guns seized:
Handguns - 72
Long guns - 15
3D-printed guns - 15
Fully automatic weapons - 10
Arrests:
State Felony - 104
State Misdemeanor - 101
Federal - 16
Anyone with information or questions should contact Detective Jacob Gibson or at 765-614-3473 or by submitting a tip using the department’s app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov
Operation: Slay Bells
In the months of November and December of 2023, Detectives from the Howard County Sheriff Office Task Force Unit began Operation: Slay Bells. The operation resulted in 10 subjects being arrested with more than 30 felony charges. Detectives were able to seize 2.5 ounces of heroin, 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, and 1.7 ounces of Fentanyl during this time.
Detectives also closed five cases involving crimes against children in which 33 explicit images and videos of children were discovered.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Jacob Gibson or at 765-614-3473 or by submitting a tip using the department’s app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov
The Howard County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that the filing of the information is merely an allegation, and that all persons charged are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.