Putnam Scanner for Jan. 28, 2015

Sheriff's Department

The Putnam County Sheriff's Department is seeking the driver of an SUV involved in a one-vehicle incident on State Road 243 in Cloverdale Township either late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

At 12:34 a.m. on Saturday, Deputy Mike Downing was on patrol near the intersection of State Road 243 and County Road 1050 South when he noticed an SUV sitting perpendicular to the road in a ditch on the west side of 243.

A dome light was on in the vehicle and Downing stopped to investigate. He found no one around the vehicle.

Downing's investigation revealed that the vehicle -- a 2001 Jeep Cherokee registered to Jennifer L. Frederick, 28, of Poland -- likely left the west side of the road before hitting a power pole, smashing an Endeavor Communications box and coming to rest in the ditch.

Damages were estimated at $2,501-$5,000.

The occupant left the scene for an unknown reason.

Trimble's Towing removed the vehicle from the scene. A hold was place on the SUV until the driver goes to the Putnam County Sheriff's Department to explain the reason for leaving the scene of a property damage accident, a Class B misdemeanor.

The sheriff's department has investigated a number of other recent incidents.

* At 3:11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, Vicki J. Loy, 60, Poland, was westbound on Mill Street in Cloverdale in a 2004 GMC Sierra. Loy told Deputy Adam Hull that when she attempted to stop at Grant Street, the brake pedal went to the floor.

The truck continued through the interesection and into the office of the Cloverdale Community Housing building, which was not occupied.

Loy was taken to Putnam County Hospital by Operation Life, complaining of neck pain.

Damage was estimated at $5,001-$10,000.

* At 7:14 p.m. Saturday, David L. Branham, 80, Greencastle, pulled off of County Road 25 North onto Dunbar Heights Road to turn around in a 1997 Ford F-150.

Branham told Deputy Downing he could not see behind his truck and backed into a ditch and through a fence at 2573 W. CR 25 North.

A passing vehicle pulled Branham's truck out and he was able to drive home.

Damage was estimated at less than $1,000.

* At 8:02 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Marilyn K Bentley, 67, Veedersburg, was northbound in a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer on U.S. 231 near County Road 500 North when she lost control of her vehicle due to ice.

Bentley advised Deputy Downing that she spun out of control and entered a ditch on the east side of U.S. 231, coming to rest at the edge of the road.

The property owner at the site of the incident pulled the vehicle from the ditch and into a driveway. There was a flat tire and extensive damage to the front and driver's side of the vehicle.

Damage was estimated at $2,501-$5,000

* At 9:57 p.m. Sunday, Debra D. Farmer, 34, Huntingdon, Tenn., was westbound on U.S. 36 in a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado when she lost control of the vehicle and collided with a fence owned by Deewayne Taylor at 1066 W. U.S. 36.

Farmer complained of hip pain but refused medical treatment.

Deputy Mathew Biggs estimated damage at $5001-$10,000.

* At 3:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, Penny L. Byrer, 42, Poland, was southbound in a 1987 Chevrolet on U.S. 231 in Cloverdale, attempting to turn left onto Mill Street when, according to the report by Col. Tom Helmer, Byrer was struck from behind by Anthony Michael C. Blake, 29, Poland in a 2008 Saturn.

Blake advised Helmer that he was blinded by bright sunlight and when he failed to observe the stopped Chevrolet, he attempted to swerve to the right but was unable to avoid a collision.

Byrer admitted to not having insurance and was cited.

Damage was estimated at $1,001-$2,500.

* At 10.19 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, Rollie R. Oliver, 56, Russellville, made impact with a crossing deer while southbound on North County Road 550 West.

Oliver advised Deputy Kyle Gibbons that he struck the deer with this 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer and lost control from the impact, leaving the roadway and striking a tree.

Impact with the tree caused front and side airbags to deploy as well as extensive and possibly debilitating damage to the front of the vehicle.

Oliver towed his vehicle to his residence via tractor.

Damage was estimated at $10,001-$25,000.

* At 1 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, John B. Beck, 21, Bainbridge, was westbound on County Road 350 South in a 2013 Chevrolet when a large dog ran into his path.

Beck advised investigating officer Deputy Mike Downing that he was unable to avoid hitting the dog and that the collision caused extensive damage to the front of the vehicle.

Beck was able to keep his vehicle at a friends house nearby until arrangements could be made to get the vehicle towed.

Damage was estimated at $2,501-$5,000.

County Jail

Several people were booked into the Putnam County Jail recently.

* At 2:40 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 25, Michael James Baker, 24, Greencastle, was arrested for public intoxication and resisting law enforcement.

At 5:22 p.m. Justin Alan Morse, 26, Terre Haute, was lodged at the jail for theft, possession of paraphernalia and false informing.

At 11:07 p.m. Zachary Kyle Smith, 26, Cloverdale, was charged with driving while intoxicated and public intoxication.

* At 3:50 p.m. on Monday, Charles Andrew Bond, 27, Carbon, was booked in for criminal confinement.

At 6:17 p.m. Perry Ray Penter, 47, North Salem, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license and possession of paraphernalia.

City Police

A 27-year-old Vigo County man is facing theft charges following his arrest Sunday evening by Greencastle City Police officers.

Justin Morse, Terre Haute, was arrested at 5 p.m. by Officer Ed Wilson after allegedly taking $618.76 worth of merchandise from the Walmart store.

Morse allegedly left the store without paying for a CD stereo system, a DVD home theater system, an electric drill, motor oil, seven pairs of pants, a logo T-shirt and other miscellaneous items.

Morse was lodged in the Putnam County Jail on charges of theft and possession of a syringe.

Three recent property-damage accidents were investigated by city officers.

* At 5:17 p.m. Saturday, a two-car accident occurred at Arlington and Franklin streets, Officer Wilson reported.

Shirley Thompson, 76, Greencastle, was eastbound on Franklin Street, driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, when she attempted to turn north onto Arlington Street and collided with a 2006 Toyota Avalon driven by Sandra Smith, 59, Greencastle.

Smith, who was reportedly pulling away from the stopsign, was blinded by the glare of the sun and did not see the Thompson car.

Total damage was listed at $1,000-$2,500.

* At 10 a.m. Friday, a one-vehicle mishap was reported on North Jackson Street, 900 feet north of Frazier Street.

Michael Havens, 63, Greencastle, was northbound on Jackson Street, driving a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado, when he apparently feel asleep at the wheel.

His truck veered right and left the roadway, sideswiping a utility pole and hitting a couple of mailboxes.

Havens told Officer Darrel Bunten that medicine he has been taking for an illness apparently made him drowsy.

Damage was estimated at $2,500-$5,000.

* At 3:04 p.m. Jan. 19, a two-vehicle accident was reported no Shadowlawn Avenue at North Jackson Street.

John Dobbins, 51, Rockville, was northbound on Jackson Street, driving a 1989 Ford F-150 truck when a 2003 Jeep Liberty, driven by Elizabeth Cash Albright, pulled into his path from Shadowlawn.

Albright told Officer Bunten she near saw the Dobbins vehicle because the sun was in her eyes.

Total damage was listed at $2,500-$5,000.

Indiana State Police

The recent weather event in the Wabash Valley caused troopers from the Putnamville Post to work the following accident scenes from 6 p.m. Monday until 1 p.m. Tuesday:

Property-damage crashes -- 8.

Personal-injury crashes -- 5.

Vehicles slide-offs -- 8.

The overwhelming cause for most accidents, State Police officials side, was drivers failing to drive according to conditions.

Indiana State Police remind motorists to slow down, use caution and appreciate the potential dangers that exist with slick roadways.

Information included in the Putnam Scanner is taken from reports provided to the Banner Graphic by the Greencastle Police, the Greencastle Fire and the Putnam County Sheriff's departments.

Individuals listed in the blotter have been arrested on probable cause and have not been formally charged. Charging information may change after an initial arrest.

Questions about listed charging information should be directed to the arresting agency.