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La Porte’s Didion wins two events at DAC meet
La Porte Little Theatre will perform ‘Blithe Spirit’
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Thursday, May 15, 2014
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The La Porte County
Joint agency team nets fugitives By GABRIELLE GONZALEZ Staff writer (219) 326-3870 ggonzalez@heraldargus.com
La PORTE — Almost 200 arrests of more than 400 charges have been made this year due to the Fugitive Apprehension Street Team that formed in January. FAST began through the Michigan City Police Department and has grown to include a U.S. Marshal and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department. Michigan City Police Chief Mark Swistek said the idea for the team is credited
to Michigan City Police Detective Francisco Rodriguez who suggested building a warrant team. Swistek said FAST is intended to get offenders with a criminal careers off the streets faster to reduce the amount of crimes in the area. The team consists of two Michigan City detectives, a U.S. Marshal, a La Porte County Sheriff’s detective and warrant division officer. They typically go after Class D felony warrants and above, such as Class A, B, or C felonies. ”I’m impressed. The team
has done an excellent job getting criminals off the streets sooner than later,” said Swistek. “I’m very pleased. We have had well over 100 arrests and a lot of the cases are serious in nature. This has helped reduce crime numbers in La Porte County.” According to Michigan City Police Corporal Kenneth Drake’s report, FAST has made 199 arrests totaling 416 charges since January. There have been 198 adult arrests with one juvenile arrest. The team arrested 25 people in January,
A SPRING SWIM
66 people in February, 40 in March, 44 in April and 24 so far this May. The team has made 170 physical arrests, 14 self surrendered arrests, two federal charges and have issued seven search warrants. Nine directed arrests were made by partnering agencies and five cases have been located, meaning the fugitive is already in custody in other institutions. Out of the 416 warrants, three warrants have been recalled. The warrants have See NETS, Page A3
Photo by Amanda Haverstick
Two ducks move out of their hiding place in the brush and make their way into Stone Lake in La Porte.
Man charged after allegedly urinating on officer By GABRIELLE GONZALEZ Staff writer (219) 326-3870 ggonzalez@heraldargus.com
Photos by Matt Fritz
The closure sign posted at King Gyros in La Porte.
Restaurant closed due to health violations By MATT FRITZ
Staff writer 1-866-362-2167 Ext. 13887 mfritz@heraldargus.com
La PORTE — A pattern of alleged health violations has resulted in the closing of La Porte’s King Gyros restaurant, but owner Norma Herrera says she has just been the target of discrimination. On Tuesday, La Porte County Health Department officials placed a sign reading “Unfit for Human Habitation” in the window of the Greek-themed restaurant at 715 Lincoln Way in La Porte, claiming the eatery was “dangerous or detrimental to life or death.” The restaurant has lost its license as a result. But the owner said the violations were all minor issues. “I’ve done this for more than 20 years,” Herrara said during a phone interview on Wednesday, “and everything is fine because I know what I’m doing, but they don’t like me. I want to fight it and I want to open and I’m going to show them.” “They don’t like me because I’m Hispanic. Mexican,” she added later, “that’s what it is.” Environmental health food supervisor Lana Buckles said the closing stems from a series of violations that began on March 7. During a routine inspection on that day, inspectors allegedly found 19 violations: five critical and 14 non-critical. Eight were also repeat violations from a previous visit. The critical violations included such instances as raw meat stored over items not
in need of cooking, like flatbread, in the walk-in cooler. Buckles noted that circumstances like this could lead to cross contamination if the meat drips fluid on the bread. Inspectors also found cooked ribs in the cooler with temperatures between 53 and 58 degrees. The temperatures should not have been above 41 degrees. And inspectors also allegedly found cheese sauce on the steam table with a temperature less than the required 135 degrees. The sauce was 127 degrees. Buckles said the business was then put on a 30 day probation because businesses are not allowed to have more than five critical or 10 non-critical violations. An administrative hearing followed suit where the owner reportedly met with health department officials to find out what needed to be done with her business. She was allegedly told there would be three unannounced inspections. Her business passed the first inspection on April 25 with only two noncritical violations, but failed the April 29 visit when four critical and two non-critical violations were found. A business must have no critical violations while on probation. The business was then forced to shut down, with Herrera allowed to put up any sign she wanted to announce the closure. The original sign cited electrical issues. Buckles said another administrative meeting was set on April 30, which Herrera failed to show up to, and then rescheduled for May 8, which
The outside of the La Porte King Gyros. she failed to appear at again. An official health department sign was put up after April 30, but knocked down after the Sunday storm. A sticker was then put up on Tuesday. In response to some of the critical violations, Herrera
said the raw meat was stored in a plastic bag, so it was permissible, and the refrigerator was only a couple degrees off. And about missing the See KING, Page A3
La PORTE — A La Porte man gained an additional charge on Wednesday at the La Porte Circuit Court for allegedly urinating on a police officer when arrested. Wade Fletcher, 21, of La Porte, had an initial hearing for the charge of battery by body waste to law enforcement, a Class D felony, that will be added to his other charges from the same night. Fletcher was charged with residential entry and possession of a schedule II controlled substance, both Class D felonies. According to La Porte Police, on Friday, April 25, at about 12:31 a.m. Bottle Shop Too made a complaint of an intoxicated man knocking on the doors of the closed business, trying to gain entry. Fletcher entered through the apartment entrance of the building and was found in the kitchen. A teen was sleeping when Fletcher entered the residence. Another witness who called earlier in the night said Fletcher was causing problems at Lucky Bar and banging on the doors of Wendy’s and Bottle Shop Too. Fletcher’s omnibus hearing is scheduled for July 2. In other court news: ■ Randy Miller, of Michigan City, will serve 98 days in jail with 49 of credit plus good time for conversion, a Class A misdemeanor for taking a 12-pack of Budweiser from a Family Express gas station and drinking outside the establishment. ■ Francisco Camarillo, 19, of La Porte, was released from the La Porte County Jail for posting bail of $1,000 for theft of an X-Box, a Class D felony. Camarillo has been sitting in jail after he posted bail on April 16. The court canceled the hearing scheduled for June 4. ■ Jimmy Swain, 44, of La Porte, was ordered for release from the La Porte County Jail. He was charged for criminal mischief to property damage owned by his wife. Honorable Judge
Thomas Alevizos ordered the release and a supplement in two weeks since Swain is still married to his wife and the property is considered his by martial status. ■ Crystal Mullins, 35, of La Porte, will lose her driver’s license for 10 years for an OWI with a previous conviction, a Class D felony. She will also serve one and a half years in La Porte County Jail with one year suspended, serving 90 days and 90 days on scram, a monitoring system, if in good standing and then one year of general order probation. ■ Jedidiah Dean, 28, of La Porte, pleaded guilty to having ecstasy pills on his person outside of JJ’’s Sideout Bar and Grill in March, a Class A misdemeanor and will have 354 days suspended on his sentence, with general order of probation, court costs and drug counseling. ■ Jesus Anguiano-Garnica, 21, of La Porte, plead guilty for strangulation of a woman in front of a child under six years of age, a Class D felony, and will serve a year in the La Porte county Jail with six days of credit plus good time and 353 days suspended. He will also be on general order probation and attend anger management classes. ■ Nicholas Burkhalter, of Valparaiso, plead guilty to operating while intoxicated with a previous conviction, a Class D felony and will serve one year in La Porte County Jail with a credit of 66 days plus good time and suspend 233 days. Burkhalter will be on general order of probation with court costs and alcohol treatment.
FRIDAY WEATHER HIGH LOW 53 40 MOSTLY CLOUDY
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Local | State POLICE CALLS The following were reported by the La Porte Police Department and the La Porte County Sheriff’s Department: May 8 ■Brandon Pointon, 21, of La Porte was charged with probation violation ■Lashon Norfleet, 38, of Chicago was charged with forgery, a class C felony (probation revocation) ■Zachary D. Roberts, 23, of La Porte was charged with Criminal conversion, a class A misdemeanor (probation revocation) ■At approximately 12:35 a.m., La Porte Police responded to the 1300 block of Federal Avenue to investigate a theft that just occurred. The victim told police she was at the home of a friend to check on him. When she arrived, the suspect was also there and both of them went
out on the front steps to smoke. While sitting there, the suspect commented on a bottle of pills that were in her purse. The suspect then grabbed the purse from her hands and left running south on Federal Avenue. Police checked for the suspect at his residence in the 1400 block of Federal Avenue with no success. A review of charges has been forwarded to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Office. ■At about 7:51 p.m., La Porte Police responded to Taco Bell, 202 Pine Lake Ave., to investigate a hit & run accident that just occurred in the parking lot. A witness told police she observed a gold Honda Accord collide with a parked silver Pontiac Grand Am, causing damage. The Honda then left the scene without stopping. The witness was able to provide a description of the
suspect driver and a license plate number. After further investigation, police located the suspect vehicle parked in the 700 block of Clay Street. Officers observed damage to the Honda consistent with striking the Pontiac. They also spoke with the suspected driver, Kirsten Standish, 22, of La Porte, who allegedly admitted to striking the Pontiac and leaving the scene. A review of charges for leaving the scene of a property damage accident and driving while never licensed has been forwarded to the La Porte County Prosecutor’s Department. May 9 n At approximately 12:22 a.m., La Porte Police stopped a teal Chevrolet truck operated by Antonio J. Patton, 26, of La Porte after observing the truck cross the center line twice. Upon
stopping the truck, the officer observed Patton jump from the driver’s seat into the rear passenger seat, failing to place the truck in park gear. The truck started to roll backwards towards the officer’s vehicle before coming to an abrupt stop. When asked about his actions, Patton allegedly told police he jumped into the back seat because his license is suspended. Patton was found to be wanted on warrant out of the La Porte County Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear for driving while suspended, a Class A misdemeanor. He was taken into custody and a second charge for the same offense was added. Patton was also cited for driving left of center. May 10 ■At about 8:42 p.m., La Porte Police stopped a brown Buick
operated by Jaime A. Otero, 35, of La Porte for a signal violation. After further investigation, Otero was taken into custody on two counts of operating while intoxicated, class A and C misdemeanors. He was also cited for no valid license and failure to signal lane change. ■At approximately 6:43 p.m., La Porte Police stopped a green Honda operated by Michael J. Moore, 19, of La Porte for a speed violation. Upon checking Moore’s license status, it was verified that his driving privileges were suspended. He was issued a summons to appear in court on the charge of driving while suspended, a class C misdemeanor. He was also cited for speeding. n At about 7:57 p.m., La Porte Police stopped a gray Cadillac operated by Gerardo G. Hernandez, 25, of La Porte for a speed
Failing students get boost to ensure they graduate By STEVE GARBACZ Daily Journal
TRAFALGAR — An Indian Creek senior got his acceptance letter to college and then came down with a bad case of senioritis. Mark Minnick was set to get his academic honors diploma and head off to Indiana University in the fall. So he kicked back and started blowing off assignments. When grade reports came back before the final nine weeks of classes, his English grade had plummeted to an F. Senior English is a required class, and you can’t graduate without passing it. “If I want to go to college, I need to get this,� Minnick told the Daily Journal. Since then, he’s met with
NETS
From Page A1 so far consisted of 52 Class A felony charges, 39 Class B felonies, 54 C felonies, 143 D felonies, 84 Class A misdemeanors, 23 B misdemeanors, seven C misdemeanors, and four other charges. Drake said four other charges could be for charges like costs of body attachments or costs from child support. Swistek said his department has made more arrests this year than the last. He said they have made 150 more arrests in the first couple months compared to last year. La Porte County Sheriff’s Department Detective Andrew Hynek said the team originally began on Jan. 1 and the Sheriff’s department partnered on March 31. �It’s a newer program and we’ve been really successful,� said Hynek. La Porte County Sheriff’s Department’s Chief Deputy Jim Sosinski said the department assigned Hynek to the team because he and Sheriff Michael Mollenhauer saw the benefit of using other agencies for resources for the region. He said the team has even partnered and built ties with agencies in Porter County and Lake County. Drake said on select days, the team travels to Porter and Lake County to work with their task forces and ap-
Now Open for the Season
his teacher and figured out exactly what he needs to do to pass. Minnick needs to get at least a B on assignments during the last few weeks of classes and get at least a C on his final exam. He’s turning in every assignment now and said he’s past the scare of failing. About 5 percent to 10 percent of seniors at Johnson County high schools are on the borderline of not being able to graduate because they didn’t pass required courses or are failing a class they are taking now, school officials said. Teachers, counselors and administrators monitor students throughout the year and push them especially hard in the final semester to turn in classwork, get extra help and
make up classes they failed. Of 135 seniors at Indian Creek, about 10 are at risk of not finishing, and administrators expect one or two might not pass all the classes they need to graduate, Indian Creek High School associate principal Nick Sears said. Sometimes, notifying the students and their parents that they risk failing and getting them to turn in assignments is enough to turn around a bad grade, counselors and administrators said. Students may be required to meet with teachers before school or during study hall periods to get extra help if they’re struggling on tests. If some students’ grades have dropped so far that they couldn’t make them up, they can be pulled out of the class
and take the course online before graduation day. Those options are available at all six local public high schools. Counselors at Franklin Community High School get weekly updates from teachers about students who are missing work or failing tests during the final semester. But monitoring starts much earlier than that, with counselors planning alternatives for a student who might fail a required class in the freshman year, Greenwood counseling director Bill Ronk said. By the junior year, the pressure from school staff members gets heavier, since students have only so much time during the school day to make up classes they’ve failed, he said.
prehend fugitives staying in neighboring counties. �We are able to have extra manpower without the extra cost,� said Sosinski. “They have been working really hard. There has been a tremendous benefit to having the team.� He said the information collected can also be utilized for other cases. The team also contributes to the Michigan City Warrant sweeps. The last sweep, Operation Heartbreak, resulted in 36 arrests on Feb. 19. Arrests and citations continue and include three recent arrests that were made this past Tuesday. One of the three arrests was David Osborn, 48, who has been charged for two counts of dealing a cocainelike substance, a Class B felony and also has a pending theft charge, a Class D felony. Denise Espinoza-Reyes, 20, was found by the team in La Porte and had a warrant theft, a Class D felony.
Crystal Wagnor, 40, was also arrested on Tuesday by the team in Union Mills for domestic battery, a Class D felony and another domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. Drake said some of the arrests made were for assisting a fugitive through Indiana Code 35-44-3-2. The charge of assisting a fugitive without being the direct parent, child or spouse, depends on the degree of the crime the fugitive has committed. For a fugitive committing a Class B, C or D felony, the person who assists could be charged with a D felony. Those assisting a fugitive with a Class A felony could be charged with a Class C felony. Drake said those assisting can be anywhere from a cousin to a boyfriend or girlfriend, a friend or a coworker. He said multiple arrests have been made in this circumstance where the person assisting the fugitive is hindering the team’s inves-
tigation. �Each day is different,� said Drake. “So far our track record has been pretty clean. We stay active.� Drake said they focus mainly on higher class charges but do not discriminate against misdemeanors and other charges. FAST will continue to operate indefinitely. Drake said FAST and all police agencies rely heavily on the public for information. To contact or give a tip, call the Michigan City Police Department and ask for the “FAST Division� or call the crime tip hotline at (219) 873-1488 and leave your name and information. The name and information is confidential.
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fortunate Herrera thought this incident involved discrimination, noting the large number of minority business owners in the area who have not had their restaurants shut down. She said Herrera’s claim about the bagged meat is not correct, and noted that the health department uses calibrated thermocouples to measure the internal temperature of food. �We are not trying to put someone out of business,� she said. “We are trying to get them to run a safe business where their customers will not become ill when they patronize it.� Buckles said closing an establishment over health violations doesn’t happen very often, and she couldn’t think of the last time it happened in La Porte County. For King Gyros to open again, Buckles said Herrera would have to meet with health department administrator Tony Mancuso, and possibly the department’s health officer and health board, and explain why she missed the hearings and what she plans to do to prevent these violations from happening again. �And she would have to request to get her license back,� she said, “and there’s no guarantee she would get it back based on the outcome of the inspections and failure to appear.�
hearings, she said she was under the impression she was supposed to have her restaurant’s stock of food full and ready for inspection, so she tried to make sure she had everything as fresh as possible. �I don’t want them to come and have everything empty,� she said. Herrera said one of the inspectors also told her there wasn’t anything wrong with her place. �One of the inspectors told me, ‘I think I know the problem here,’� she said. “’All the ladies are jealous of you because you’re young and pretty.’� Herrera said she is thinking about talking to an attorney to see what she can do. She also talked about the possibility of a lawsuit. �Somebody has to stop them,� she said. “To me this is all about discrimination. It’s so simple.� Herrera said she has been running a restaurant in Schererville for 23 years, another in Valparaiso for 17 years and one in Portage for 14 years, so she knows what she is doing. She took over King Gyros on Oct. 22, 2013. This location is not under the same ownership as other King Gyros. Buckles said it was un- Follow Matt Fritz on Twitter @matt_fritzHA.
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