A Bremen man was arrested at the Grovertown Truck Stop on U.S. 30 in the early morning hours of Monday, October 14 after Starke County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an initial call of an unwanted man who had reportedly forcefully entered a residence in the 6,000 North block of 1100 E. in Starke County.
The call came in about 11:40 p.m. CT. Once the man was inside the residence, police say he started waving a firearm and started breaking items. He then left the residence. Starke County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the call and saw the suspect’s vehicle traveling westbound on U.S. 30 without headlights. A traffic stop was then initiated and the suspect’s vehicle turned into the Grovertown Truck Stop on U.S. 30.
Deputies attempted to speak with the male subject, later identified as 30-year-old Richard Maher III, of Bremen, and he was uncooperative, according to the report. Police say he was also believed to be in possession of several weapons inside the vehicle.
For approximately two hours, deputies made several attempts to get the subject to exit the vehicle but were reportedly unsuccessful. Deputies then deployed pepper spray to gain compliance while still giving verbal commands and K9 announcements but were unsuccessful. After not complying, a Marshall County Sheriff’s deputy deployed his K9 to subdue the subject. The subject was then taken into custody without incident and transported to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries.
Due to possible explosive material inside the vehicle, the South Bend Bomb squad was contacted to respond. Upon awaiting their arrival, Starke County Sheriff’s Office explosive K9 dog CSUFI was deployed to conduct a sweep of the vehicle and indicated a positive alert for the odor of explosive materials, according to police. Police say members of the South Bend Police Bomb Squad and the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Division arrived on scene and took custody of the evidence inside the vehicle.
The Grovertown truck stop remained closed until the scene was deemed safe for the safety of the public.
Richard Maher III was taken into custody on preliminary charges of domestic battery, resisting law enforcement, intimidation, and residential entry. Additional charges will be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office once the investigation is complete.
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Knox City Police Department, Starke County EMS, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, South Bend Police Bomb Squad, and the ATF.
Suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
