Troopers Make Numerous Arrests During Little 500

Last updated on Monday, April 24, 2017

(BLOOMINGTON) - Thursday evening, April 20th through Sunday morning April 23rd, Troopers and command staff from the Indiana State Police Post in Bloomington conducted saturation patrols in Monroe County in conjunction with Indiana University’s Little 500 festivities.

Troopers assigned to this detail focused on traffic and criminal enforcement in and near the city of Bloomington in an effort to help ensure everyone's safety. In addition, troopers assisted local police departments in calls for service, crowd control and other details.

Throughout the Little 500 saturation patrols, assigned troopers generated 387 traffic contacts (125 citations and 262 warnings), made 15 operating a vehicle while intoxicated arrests, and 114 total criminal arrests (25 felonies).

Most of the criminal arrests were for alcohol and drug related offenses.

Troopers seized a wide variety of illegal narcotics, including marijuana, heroin, meth, syringes, and controlled substance pills from dozens of the traffic stops.

Several were found to be in possession of handguns while not having a permit to carry a firearm. One handgun was recovered that had been reported stolen in Marion County. Multiple suspects wanted on warrants in various Indiana counties were also found during traffic stops and arrested.

Every year on the Sunday of the event, Monroe County Prosecutor's offers a pretrial diversion program for people who received tickets for underage drinking, public intoxication and other smaller charges.

The pretrial diversion program allows those ticketed during the weekend to pay the ticket, participate in a community cleanup, attend a drug and alcohol class and commit to staying out of trouble for a year. There is no misdemeanor or felony, in exchange for the dismissal of the charge.

This year, 166 tickets were issued, to those who could participate in the pretrail diversion, says Monroe County prosecutor Chris Gaal.

Those ticketed also had the option to forgo the pretrial diversion program and enter a plea in front of a judge. Judge and IU law professor Mary Ellen Diekhoff was hearing individual cases while others were filling out their forms.

More than 25 court employees began work at 10 p.m. Saturday night, midnight Sunday and some came at 7 a.m. to organize and review arrests and citations.

The director of of the pretrial diversions program, Jeremy Cooney, gave a 15-minute presentation to those who came to settle their tickets. Seventeen did not show up and warrants were issued for their arrests.

For those from out of town, the prosecutor's office will work with them to see if they can complete their community service in their hometowns.

For those that live in Bloomington and the surrounding area they have the option to schedule their community service or could complete their requirements Sunday at Memorial Stadium and the nearby area cleaning up the litter that lined the streets and sidewalks after the Little 500.

ISP Patrol Results Included:

On April 20th, Trp. Griggs conducted a traffic stop west of the IU campus. During the stop, he observed synthetic marijuana in plain view between the two front seat occupants. A subsequent search uncovered methamphetamine pipes in the vehicle and on the female driver's person. In addition, the male passenger had no identification but verbally identified himself. As the investigation continued, it was discovered the male had lied about his identity to conceal the fact he had two active felony warrants in Marion County. He also tried throwing a baggie of methamphetamine out of his pants. Both occupants were arrested for multiple drug charges and the passenger was also arrested for providing a false identity statement.
On April 20th, Trp. Richard Klun and Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop along SR 37, just north of Bloomington. Upon approach to the vehicle, Trp. Klun observed a marijuana pipe in plain view. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana. The driver was cited for possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
On April 21st, Trp. Chris Griggs and Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on Lincoln Street. Upon approach, Trp. Griggs smelled the odor of marijuana. The single occupant admitted to possessing marijuana and paraphernalia. A subsequent search revealed the marijuana and several pieces of paraphernalia. Trp. Griggs cited the driver for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.
On April 21st, Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop near the IU campus. After smelling the odor of marijuana, a subsequent search revealed the passenger was in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Trp. Parker cited the passenger for possession of marijuana.
On April 21st, Sgt. Greg Day stopped a vehicle on 17th Street. During the course of the stop, it was discovered that one of the passengers was wanted on two warrants - one from Monroe County and one for Boone County. Both warrants were for failure to appear. Trp. Bartalone was called to the scene and arrested the male passenger on the warrants.
On April 21st, Trp. Tummers conducted a traffic stop on the SR45/46 Bypass near the IU football stadium. Once smelling an odor of marijuana, other troopers arrived to assist as there were six occupants in the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, Trp. Tummers found three handguns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the locked glove box. One occupant had the key to the glove box in his pocket. Further investigation revealed that one of the guns was reported as stolen out of Marion County. Trp. Tummers arrested one male for multiple drug charges and for possession of the stolen gun.
On April 21st, Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop near the IU campus. During the stop, indicators of criminal activity were detected. Trp. Allen Deel assisted and deployed his certified K-9 Drogos, who gave a positive alert on the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately ½ pound of marijuana and three handguns. Trp. Parker arrested all four occupants of the vehicle for multiple drug charges. Three of the occupants were arrested for possession of a firearm without a permit.
On April 22nd, Trp. Julie Deel conducted a traffic stop near the Owen/Monroe County line. Upon her approach to the vehicle, she smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed the driver was in possession of a controlled substance (Xanax) and marijuana. Trp. Deel arrested the driver for multiple drug charges.
On April 22nd, Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on 19th Street on the IU campus. There were four occupants in the vehicle. Upon approach, Sgt. Day smelled the odor of burnt marijuana. Trp. Chris Griggs arrived to assist, along with officers from BPD. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed multiple baggies of marijuana and numerous open alcoholic beverage containers. Trp. Griggs cited the three passengers for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of alcohol. Sgt. Day transported the driver to the hospital and obtained a blood draw. The driver was cited for OWI on controlled substance, possession of marijuana, illegal transport of alcoholic beverage, and driving while suspended misdemeanor.
On April 22nd, Motor Carrier Inspector Kim Judge conducted a traffic stop along SR 46 between Bloomington and Ellettsville for a commercial vehicle truck inspection. It was discovered the driver had an active failure to appear warrant out of Lawrence County. Once Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Chris Griggs arrived to assist, they took the male driver into custody. It was revealed the driver was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. In addition, the female passenger was found to be in possession of marijuana. Trp. Griggs arrested the driver for the warrant as well as possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. The female passenger was cited for possession of marijuana.
On April 22nd, Trp. Riley Nungester conducted a traffic stop west of the IU campus. The driver was found to be operating on a suspended prior driver's license and was wanted on an active arrest warrant. A passenger was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The driver was arrested for DWS Prior and the warrant. The passenger was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
On April 22nd, M/Trp. John Yung conducted a traffic stop on the SR 45/46 Bypass, near SR 37. During the course of the stop, he detected criminal indicators and smelled the odor of marijuana. Other troopers arrived to assist and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and a loaded handgun. Trp. Yung arrested one male for possession of marijuana and possession of a handgun without a permit. He also cited a passenger for possession of marijuana.
On April 22nd, Trp. Caleb Garvin conducted a traffic stop at 10th Street and Indiana Avenue. The driver was found to be intoxicated. In addition, the driver was wanted on an active arrest warrant from Vanderburgh County. Trp. Garvin arrested the driver for OWI Felony (his 3rd OWI arrest in 2 years) and the criminal warrant.
On April 22nd, Trp. Gabe Bault conducted a traffic stop on the campus of IU. He smelled the odor of burnt marijuana and with the assistance of other troopers, Trp. Bault searched the vehicle and found both occupants to be in possession of marijuana. Both subjects were cited for possession of marijuana.
On April 22nd, Trp. Riley Nungester conducted a traffic stop near IU's campus. It was discovered the driver was wanted on an active felony arrest warrant. Trp. Nungester arrested him without incident.
On April 22nd, Trp. Richard Klun received a tip from the Bloomington Police Department that a female wanted on an active parole violation warrant was at a residence on North Lane in Bloomington. Trp. Klun, along with Troopers Riley Nungester and Michael Tummers, went to the residence and located the wanted female. As troopers took her into custody, they found heroin and a syringe in her possession. Trp. Klun arrested the female on the warrant as well as for possession of heroin and hypodermic syringe.
On April 23rd, Trp. Robert Whyte conducted a traffic stop in Monroe County. During the encounter, he smelled the odor of marijuana. A subsequent search of the stopped vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana. Trp. Whyte cited one person for possession of marijuana.
On April 23rd, Trp. Robert Whyte conducted a traffic stop and established probable cause that the driver was intoxicated. In addition, the driver was found to be driving on a suspended license. Trp. Whyte arrested the driver for OWI Felony (prior conviction) and DWS Prior.

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