Cloverdale man faces criminal confinement, other charges

CLOVERDALE -- A 49-year-old Cloverdale man is facing four felony charges after reportedly holding his ex-girlfriend against her will in an incident that began Monday afternoon and concluded with his arrest late Tuesday morning.

Jeffery Lynn New-kirk was lodged in the Putnam County Jail at noon Tuesday on charges of criminal confinement, criminal recklessness, intimidation and residential entry.

Authorities say Newkirk had forcibly entered the County Road 850 East residence of his 48-year-old former girlfriend sometime Monday afternoon.

When the woman and her 14-year-old daughter arrived home at approximately 4:45 p.m., they were met at the front door by Newkirk, reportedly armed with a handgun and a large knife.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Jon Chadd reported that Newkirk ordered the woman and her daughter inside and "continually pointed and waved the handgun around and would not let them leave."

While allegedly holding the victims against their will, Newkirk had reportedly made statements that he had "lost everything."

At 6:38 p.m., county units were dispatched to the scene on a report of a suicidal male armed with a handgun. While en route, deputies were advised that the suspect had fled the scene and his whereabouts were unknown.

Sgt. Chadd, along with Putnam County Deputies Terry Smith and Ronnie Campbell, Cloverdale Officer Charlie Hallam and Indiana State Police units, were unable to locate the suspect.

Officers checked the residence and surrounding outbuildings without finding New-kirk, although they did discover he had left duct tape, black nylon rope, a putty knife and a screwdriver on the floor next to the couch.

While the victims were taken to a family member's residence, over the next several hours, authorities continued to hunt for Newkirk, who was considered armed and dangerous.

About 11 a.m. Tuesday, CPD Officer Hallam spotted Newkirk on Lafayette Street in Cloverdale. Noticing the officer, the suspect then fled into the residence at 352 Lafayette St.

Anticipating a possible stand-off, police summoned the Putnam County Emergency Response Team. However, the incident was resolved with Newkirk being taken into custody before the ERT unit arrived on the scene.