Scanner for 11-8-2014

Indiana State Police

At 4:50 p.m. Thursday, Putnam County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting an erratic driver eastbound on U.S. 40, Indiana State Police at Putnamville reported.

The caller said a black Chevrolet pickup was "swerving and traveling at various speeds" near Putnamville.

At 5 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Jonathan Cumbie located the eastbound 2001 Chevrolet pickup operating erratically on U.S. 40 near Putnam County Road 725 East.

The vehicle was stopped and the driver was identified as Gary Hewitt, 50, of Indianapolis.

Trooper Cumbie noticed what appeared to be medicine-type containers in the vehicle and asked Hewitt to take standard field sobriety tests, which he failed. A subsequent chemical test at the Putnam County Hospital revealed Hewitt tested positive for opiates.

Hewitt was booked into the Putnam County Jail on a preliminary charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated-controlled substance.

The Indiana State Police wish to remind motorists of the importance of dialing 911 to report dangerous or erratic driving.

Trooper Ryan Purkiser assisted with the stop.

County Jail

Four people were booked into the Putnam County Jail on Thursday.

* At 3:45 p.m., Justin Ray Sims, 26, Greencastle, was charged with a probation violation.

At 3:50 p.m., Paul Henry Lantzy, 41, Greencastle, was arrested for nonsupport of a dependent.

At 6:30 p.m., Gary Hewitt, 50, Indianapolis, was charged with operating while intoxicated.

At 11:20 p.m., Tyler Aaron Alsup, 30, Coatesville, was arrested for failure to appear.

City Police

One minor traffic accident was investigated recently by Greencastle City Police officers.

The two-vehicle mishap occurred at 2:35 p.m. Wednesday on Indianapolis Road near Fifth Street, Officer Ed Wilson reported.

Mary Glaze, 66, Greencastle was stopped in eastbound traffic, waiting to turn into the Old National Bank parking lot when her 2005 Ford Crown Victoria was struck by an eastbound 2014 Buick Enclave, driven by John Gwinn, 82, Greencastle.

Gwinn told Officer Wilson he thought Glaze was executing her turn and did not slow his vehicle. As a result, he clipped the rear bumper of the Glaze car.

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

Two recent speeding citations were issued by city officers.

-- At 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, Curtis App, 17, Greencastle, was ticketed by Officer Albert Epple for 55 mph in a 30-mph zone on Indianapolis Road.

-- At 2:38 a.m. Tuesday, Steve Moses, 35, Greencastle, was stopped by Officer Nick Eastham on Bloomington Street, south of Martinsville Street, where he was ticketed for 57 mph in a 30-mph zone.

Sheriff's Dept.

* At 8:53 a.m. on Friday, Alexander R. Arthur, 29, Greencastle, was traveling eastbound on County Road 100 South when he failed to negotiate a gradual curve in the roadway.

Arthur advised Lt. Dwight Simmons that he lost control of his 2003 Toyota Camry, which slid off the south side of the road and struck a fence causing extensive damage to it as well as the vehicle.

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

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.