Putnam Scanner for Feb. 25, 2015

County Jail

Five people have been accommodated at the Putnam County Jail recently.

* At 12:45 a.m. Saturday, Kimberly Renee Cope, 41, was arrested on a charge of check deception.

* At 12:45 a.m. Saturday, Heather Danielle Burger, 24, Spencer, was lodged in the jail for neglect of a dependent.

* At 9:26 p.m. Saturday, Kyle Ordway, 23, Greencastle, was charged with check deception.

* At 8:42 p.m. Sunday, Aron J. Monnett, 30, Greencastle, was booked on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia and failure to appear.

* At 8:05 p.m. Sunday, Caitlin Shane Birge, 24, Greencastle, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia.

Indiana State Police

Sunday at about 4:50 p.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Jonathan Cumbie stopped a 1999 GMC SUV on eastbound U.S. 40 near County Road 1000 East for 74 mph in a 55-mph zone

When the SUV was stopped, the driver was identified as Tyler J. Cochran, 25, Indianapolis.

During conversation with the driver Trooper Cumbie noticed what appeared to be the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and Cochran reportedly displayed visible signs of impairment.

Cochran refused several verbal commands from Trooper Cumbie before, during and after the vehicle search, which yielded a small black container with less than two grams of a substance that field tested positive for THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the main mind-altering ingredient found in the cannabis plant.

Cochran refused to take a chemical test for intoxication and was incarcerated in the Putnam County Jail on charges of possession of hashish, resisting law enforcement and operating vehicle while intoxicated with prior conviction/refusal.

Assisting at the scene was ISP Trooper Yan Dravigne.

City Police

Greencastle City Police reported a pair of arrests made after recent traffic stops.

* At 11:45 a.m. Saturday, Jeremy West, 38, Greencastle, was stopped by Officer Darrel Bunten at Indiana and Walnut streets.

West was allegedly found to be in possession of drugs and drug-related items and was lodged in the Putnam County Jail.

He is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a synthetic or lookalike drug, illegal possession of a syringe and petition to revoke bond. West was also held on a Putnam County warrant for failure to appear.

* At 1:28 a.m. Saturday, Otis Sams Jr., 60, Bainbridge, was stopped by Capt. Chris Jones at North Jackson Street and Shadowlawn Avenue.

Sams was found in be in possession of methamphetamine, Capt. Jones reported.

He was lodged in the Putnam County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and dealing in methamphetamine.

Two minor traffic accidents were investigated recently by Greencastle officers.

* At 11:15 a.m. Monday, a two-vehicle mishap was reported on East Washington Street, just west of Bloomington Street, as Christine Klinger, 45, Greencastle, attempted to back a 2012 Hyundai Sonata from a driveway at 413 E. Washington St.

Stopped in eastbound traffic for the stoplight at Bloomington Street was Taylor Daugherty, 18, Greencastle, whose 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier was struck by the backing Klinger car. Total damage was estimated by Officer Albert Epple at $2,500-$5,000.

* At 12:10 p.m. Feb. 17, a one-vehicle accident was reported on Indianapolis Road near Percy Julian Drive as Elizabeth Boswell, 22, Greencastle, neared the intersection eastbound.

She told Officer Bunten that the brakes on her 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe failed as she approached traffic that was stopped for the stoplight.

Boswell took evasive action, steering her truck off the roadway and hitting a mailbox and utility pole, resulting in only minor damage to those items.

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

Sheriff's Department

Four motor vehicle accidents have recently been investigated by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department.

* At 3:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 16, David P. Watkins, 56, Greencastle, was westbound on County Road 225 North in a 1990 Lexus LS400 when, he advised Capt. Steve Fenwick, ice and snow caused him to leave the road, jumping over a three-foot ditch and striking an embankment before coming to a rest.

Watkins drove home after the incident, calling to report it once he arrived safely.

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

* At 9:53 a.m. Friday, Wanda S. Thompson, 56, Greencastle, was southbound on CR 525 East in a 2005 Ford ZTS when she began sliding while in a curve in the roadway. Thompson said she was unable to avoid sliding into a 1998 Ford Ranger driven by Katlyn M. Rector, 16, Fillmore, who was northbound.

Investigating officer Deputy Adam Hull estimated damage at $5,001-$10,000.

* At 4:58 pm. Friday, Jacob S. Elder, 27, Brazil, was southbound in a 2005 GMC Sierra and stopped at a stopsign on County Road 625 West when he saw an eastbound vehicle on U.S. 40 that appeared to be turning right onto County Road 652 West.

Elder told Deputy Hull that he began to cross U.S. 40, not seeing that a 2003 Chevrolet Impala driven by Hayley M. Davis, 27, Brazil, had gotten into the left lane of U.S. 40 to pass the turning vehicle.

As Elder crossed the first lane of traffic, the front left of his vehicle collided with the front right of the Davis car.

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

* At 7:20 a.m. Monday, Francis M. Wooten, 55, Indianapolis, was northbound on U.S. 231 in a 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser when her vehicle left the roadway.

Wooten advised that she had struck black ice as she went into a curve, losing control, going across the snow-covered grass shoulder, striking a highway safety sign, then striking and breaking a Frontier Communications pole before finally coming to rest.

Wooten complained of pain in the chest and was transported to the Putnam County Hospital emergency room via Operation Life.

City Fire

The Greencastle Fire Department has responded to numerous dispatches among performing two medical and two lift assists recently.

* At 9:45 p.m. Saturday, GFD was called to a fire alarm triggered by a candle at 208 E. Olive St.

* At 6:59 p.m. Sunday, GFD was dispatched to 3633 S. CR 300 W. for a residential fire alarm due to cooking, no fire was present.

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.