Ferdinand Fire Department
Run to Comfort Inn
Ferdinand Fire Department was called to the Comfort Inn at 7:26 p.m. on December 28, to report of a smoke alarm that had been activated in one of the rooms. Upon arriving, firefighters found no fire but discovered the occupant of the room had accidentally burned food from leaving it in the microwave for too long. Firefighters cleaned the smoke detector and reset the system. Three trucks and 14 personnel were on scene for approximately 15 minutes. Ferdinand Police provided assistance.
Run to Monastery
Ferdinand Fire Department was called to the Sisters of St. Benedict Monastery at 11:51 a.m. on January 3, to report of a fire alarm sounding. Units found no fire upon arriving at the scene, and further investigation determined the smoke alarms had been set off by a construction company grinding nearby. Firefighters cleaned the smoke detectors and reset the system. Three trucks and seven personnel were on scene for approximately 25 minutes.
Ferdinand Police Department
Minor collision at CVS
Michael Huckelby, 61, of Ferdinand, and Jessica A. Jenkins, 35, of English, were both backing out of parking spots at CVS at the same time when their vehicles struck each other. Police believe the amount of rainfall contributed to the accident, with a combination of reduced sight and sound from the rain preventing both drivers from being able to see or hear each other. Neither driver was injured in the January 3, 2:25 p.m. collision, and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene, with only Jenkins’ 2015 Dodge Caravan sustaining damage (approximately $2,000 worth).
Dubois County Sheriff’s Office
One-vehicle accident on SR 56
Nona Mae Noble, 68, of French Lick, was westbound on SR 56 near CR 175 E when, she later told authorities, she lost traction and lost control of her 2008 Honda Odyssey, which then ran off the north side of the roadway. Her vehicle then struck a ditch and a road sign before rolling and landing on its passenger side in the roadway. Noble complained of pain but refused medical treatment on scene. The Odyssey was deemed a total loss in the December 30, 11:59 a.m. accident. Haysville Fire Department, Memorial EMS and area First Responders assisted at the scene.
Huntingburg Police Department
OWI arrest
During routine patrol on New Year’s Eve, Huntingburg Police initiated a traffic stop at 11:28 p.m. on a moped after noticing the vehicle cross the center line and nearly cause a head-on collision. While speaking with the driver, 30-year-old Robert K. Orebaugh Jr. of Huntingburg, officers report smelling the odor of alcohol coming from his person. Orebaugh submitted to a series of field sobriety tests, which he failed, before testing 0.165 on a certified breath test. Orebaugh was subsequently taken to the Dubois County Security Center on a charge of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
Jasper Police Department
Washington man charged with auto theft
At 4:39 p.m. on December 29, Jasper Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of Sternberg Chrysler Center in Jasper. Upon arriving, officers determined that the vehicle in question — a black 2008 Chrysler van — had been seen by employees over the past several weeks in the parking lot. Employees at the scene advised police they had also noticed several vehicles being moved in the lot throughout that time. During the investigation, an International semi pulled into the parking lot, and employees informed police that the semi was not supposed to have been taken from the lot. Officers made contact with the man driving the truck, 52-year-old Robert E. Warne of Washington, and determined he did not have permission to do so. Warne then allegedly admitted to recently stealing a key from Sternberg and taking several semis and dump trucks from the lot for “joy rides” over several weeks’ time. Warne was arrested and charged with two felony counts of auto theft, two felony counts of unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and a misdemeanor count of theft.
Driver arrested for OWI, leaving the scene of an accident
Jasper Police responded to multiple 911 calls on December 30 regarding a man in a gold car who had left the scene after striking two parked vehicles on Manor Drive, near the intersection of 36th Street. The driver fled the scene to avoid arrest. Soon after, police received information that the male subject was hiding in the woods near where the accident had occurred. Police were able to quickly locate the man, 33-year-old Aaron Hancock of Evansville, and took him into custody. Hancock, who was found to be under the influence and tested double the legal limit, was charged with operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident.
OWI arrest
At 10:01 p.m. on December 30, Jasper Police received a tip from a concerned citizen in reference to a 2003 Toyota Corolla seen swerving and driving in the wrong lane of travel. Jasper Police were able to locate the Corolla and, upon further investigation, determined the driver — 33-year-old Eduardo Garcia of Jasper — was under the influence of alcohol. Garcia was transported to Memorial Hospital, where a chemical test showed his BAC to be 0.229. Garcia was then arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license. Dubois County Sheriff’s Office assisted Jasper Police during the investigation.
Scooter driver charged with OWI, public intoxication
Jasper Police were dispatched to 3rd Avenue and Liberty Street at 4:32 a.m. on January 1, in reference to a male subject who had called 911 several times and told the operator he was lost. Officers found the subject, later identified as 36-year-old Jesse Aaron Myers of Dale, standing in the middle of the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Liberty Street. Myers allegedly informed police he had been driving a moped, that he had been drinking at bars earlier in the night, and that he was now unsure of where his moped was. Police transported Myers to the police station, where his blood alcohol content tested 0.102. Myers was charged with operating while intoxicated and public intoxication; his moped was later located at the intersection of Third Avenue and SR 162.
