PLYMOUTH — On Thursday,​ August 29 at 5:48 a.m.,​ police were dispatched to the intersection of Oak Drive and Pidco Drive for a minor vehicle collision between two vehicles. ​

Upon arrival,​ Marshall County Officer Wozniak found that a white 2022 Lexus ​struck a 2009 Silver Honda leaving very minor damage. ​
During the investigation,​ it was found that the driver of the Honda,​ Rigoberto Ordonez Ordonez, 51, of Plymouth,​ was operating a vehicle without ever receiving a driver’s license. ​He was taken to the Marshall County Jail and processed for operating a vehicle without ever receiving a driver’s license.

CULVER — Town of Culver Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim has announced that the town will be milling and paving streets next week.

The streets involved are:
Academy Road from School Street to State Street
Bradley Court
Mill Street from Plymouth Street to State Road 17
Prado from Peru Court to Main Street
Madison Street from Slate to Clymax
Ohio Street from Marmont to Davis
Harding Court
To help the contractor, you are asked not to park cars on those road sections during the day next week. If you normally park on any of the sections scheduled to be worked on, please locate an offsite spot to park while work is taking place.
Citizens will be updated on the progress.

By Jamie Fleury, Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — The Plymouth Common Council approved Ordinance No. 2024-2228R An Ordinance to Amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Plymouth Concerning the use of Golf Carts on Streets and Alleys during their regular meeting on Monday.

The ordinance was refined by a committee. Revisions were made to the final ordinance including a reduction in the amount of registration fees from $60 to $30. The City will provide a registration sticker to those owners that have been properly registered. A copy of the registration form must be kept in the vehicle when operated on public streets or alleys.
The registration sticker and an approved traffic safety slow-moving vehicle sign must be visibly mounted to the rear of the vehicle. The registration sticker must always be visible during vehicle operation.
All passengers must be seated and comply with the maximum capacity limits of the vehicle. Children under 36 inches in height cannot be passengers on golf carts on public streets or alleys within the City of Plymouth.
Under no circumstances are any unlicensed individuals allowed to operate golf carts on the streets or alleys within the City of Plymouth. Adult passengers shall not hold passengers on their laps.
Any person violating the provisions of the ordinance shall be subject to a fine of $50.00 for the first offense, $75.00 for the second offense, and $100.00 for the third offense. If any subsequent offense occurs, the golf cart shall be impounded at the owner’s expense.

On Friday, Aug. 23 at 6:55 p.m., Marshall County deputy Matt Geiger stopped a blue Mustang for speeding — 91mph in a 60 mph zone.

The driver John R. Landers of Canton Ohio was also found to have a suspended license.
During the investigation,​ marijuana was located in the vehicle. Landers was arrested for possession of marijuana and was taken to the Marshall County Jail for processing.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Monday,​ Aug. 26 at 3:15 p.m.,​ Plymouth Police,​ Marshall County Police,​ along with Plymouth Fire responded to the intersection of US 30 and Pioneer Drive for a semi-tractor-trailer versus car accident with unknown injuries.

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Upon arrival,​ officers found the driver of a white 2017 Honda Accent,​ James A. Sapp, 39, of Plymouth,​ to have minor abrasions to his face and head. ​The driver of the White 2022 semi-tractor-trailer,​ Arthur E. Jones of Pine Apple,​ Alabama,​ was found to have a complaint of pain in his back. ​They were both transported by Plymouth EMS to St. Joseph Hospital in Plymouth.
After an investigation and witness statements,​ the Honda passenger car failed to stop at the red light westbound to US 30 and struck the semi-tractor trailer,​ which was eastbound and turning north onto Pioneer Drive.
Marshall County Police were assisted by Plymouth Police,​ Plymouth Fire,​ and Reichert and Knepp Towing. ​

On Friday, August 23 at 10:29 p.m.,​ Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a white Chevrolet Equinox on US 30 at SR 331 for traffic violations.

The driver,​ Cartrelle Sullivan, 45, of Ft. Wayne was found to have a suspended license. During the investigation, Sullivan was found to be in possession ​of a Schedule I controlled substance and marijuana. He was arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail where he was charged and booked.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Aug. 27 at 3:53 p.m., officers with the Plymouth Police Department were dispatched to 900 W Harrison Street for a speaker theft.

The victim had video of the theft and of the suspect’s vehicle. After further investigation, the suspect was identified as Jamie Nunez, 48, of Warsaw.
It was determined that Nunez was staying at the Economy Inn. He was taken into custody, transported to Marshall County Jail, and booked in for Theft. The stolen property was returned to the victim

Suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Aug. 28 officers with the Plymouth Police Department found a man lying off the roadway in a yard of a residence.

Officers identified the man as Gerado Cortez-Ruiz, 37, of Plymouth. It was determined Cortez-Ruiz was under the influence of a controlled substance.
Cortez-Ruiz was transported and lodged into the Marshall County Jail for Public Intoxication, a Class B misdemeanor.

On Thursday,​ Aug. 22 the Marshall County Detective Bureau obtained information from the Indiana Department of Child Services of a 3-year-old child testing positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

The children within the home were ​removed and placed in an alternative care home. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Detective Bureau then started a criminal investigation into the situation.

On Tuesday,​ Aug. 27,​ a search warrant was executed for the residence of Sarah Tibbs ​in the 4,​000 block of Olive Road,​ within Marshall County.
A substance believed to be methamphetamine​ and drug paraphernalia was recovered.
Sarah Tibbs,​ age 31 along with Timothy J. Barnette,​ age 55,​ were arrested,​ transported, and booked into the Marshall County Jail.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Marshall County Sheriff Deputies stopped a vehicle on US 31 at 11th Rd. for false and fictitious ​license registration.

While talking with the driver Mackenzie Craig, 27, it was found that she has never held a valid driver’s license. Marshall County K9 Bear alerted the vehicle to the presence of narcotics odor ​in the vehicle.
After searching the vehicle deputies found a small amount of methamphetamine and paraphernalia.
Mackenzie Craig was transported to the Marshall County Jail and lodged for possession of methamphetamine,​ possession of paraphernalia, and operator never licensed.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Marshall County — The Indiana State Police were requested to assist the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office earlier this morning after a person they were trying to evict and arrest for criminal trespass barricaded themselves into the home.

On Aug. 28, at 9:50 a.m. deputies with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a residence in the 13000 block of US 6 in Marshall County to evict the resident, identified as Jennifer Japa, age 63, from the residence after it had been sold and to arrest her for criminal trespass. Japa is alleged to have pointed a long gun at the deputies as they spoke to her. Japa retreated into the house and refused to come out. Deputies also retreated and requested assistance from the Indiana State Police.
The Indiana State Police responded with additional troopers, negotiators, as well as the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team.
After several hours of speaking to Japa, she was safely taken into custody by members of the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team as well as Indiana State Police detectives at approximately 1:23 p.m. as she exited the residence.
Japa was arrested on the original charge of criminal trespass as well as a warrant for pointing a firearm, Level 6 Felony, which was filed during the standoff. Japa was taken to the Marshall County Jail.
US 6 was shut down to traffic while police were on the scene and is now back open.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman announced the arrest of Inderjit Singh Sidhu for failing to appear at his initial hearing in Marshall Superior Court No. 1 on a Grand Jury Indictment alleging two counts of reckless homicide, one count of driving at a speed greater than reasonable under the conditions, and one count of following too close.

Chipman noted Sidhu’s arrest was on the eve of the third anniversary of the crash that killed two young men on their way to work.
It is alleged by Grand Jury indictment that on August 24, 2021, “Inderjit Singh Sidhu did recklessly kill John Paul David Eckel by operating a truck in plain, conscious, and unjustifiable disregard of harm that might result and the disregard involves a substantial deviation from acceptable standards of conduct.”
A second count of Reckless Homicide alleges the same conduct that resulted in the death of Patric John McGlynn.
The Grand Jury also alleges Sidhu operated “a truck on U.S. 30, a highway, at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and as is necessary to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle or other conveyance on the highway.”
Finally, the Grand Jury alleges that “Sidhu did drive a truck on U.S. 30 and did follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of both vehicles, the time interval between vehicles, and the condition of the highway.”
The fatal crash occurred at 7:26 am on Tuesday morning, August 24, 2021. The weather was clear and sunny. Due to construction work in the area eastbound traffic on U.S. 30 between Pioneer Drive and Oak Drive, just west of the railroad tracks, was pared down from two lanes to one by the use of orange traffic cones and appropriate signage. The resulting single lane of traffic was slowing and occasionally stopped as it traveled east toward the traffic light at Oak Drive.
Approximately 1000 feet west of the Oak Drive intersection the official crash report states Sidhu was operating a 2019 Freightliner semi-tractor trailer and rear-ended a 2009 Nissan Rogue passenger vehicle driven by 19-year-old Patric John McGlynn. Twenty-year-old John Paul David Eckel was a passenger in the Nissan. The semi ran over the Nissan and then collided with the rear of a semi operated by Thomas Lewis of Wanatah.
Sidhu’s semi burst into flames. It is noted in the official crash report that Plymouth firefighters were unaware there was a passenger vehicle under the burning semi until fire suppression efforts were underway. Mandatory testing revealed no drugs or alcohol were present in any of the drivers involved in the crash.
Chipman requested a Grand Jury be convened on July 20, 2022, to investigate the causes of the crash. Sidhu was informed of the Grand Jury proceedings and his right to testify. Chipman noted he was in contact with Sidhu prior to the proceedings as well as after, including notification that an indictment was returned in two counts of Reckless Homicide and the two driving infraction counts.
An initial hearing was scheduled for October 4, 2022. Although being notified of the date and time of the hearing, Sidhu failed to appear, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He has remained free until Friday, August 23, 2024.
Efforts to find Sidhu began in late 2022. The company he drove for was based in Texas; his commercial driver’s license had a California residential address. Chipman enlisted the assistance of the Indiana State Police who utilized national databases for CDL drivers as well as immigration status and employment records. All without success.
Recently, however, information filtered back that Sidhu may be in northwest Indiana working at one in a chain of popular liquor stores. Sophisticated investigative techniques were employed by Det/Sgt. Jonathon Bryant that successfully pinpointed Sidhu’s location and his arrest was made Friday without incident.
Judge Robert O. Bowen held the long overdue initial hearing in Superior Court 1 and Sidhu was appointed public defender June Bules as counsel. Judge Bowen also set a pretrial conference date of September 18, 2024, an Omnibus date of October 24, and a Status conference for December 19. Sidhu continues to be held in the Marshall County Jail without bond. Chipman noted the case was then transferred to Superior Court 3, so the hearing dates are likely to be altered by Judge Matthew Sarber.
Readers are reminded that criminal charges are mere allegations and that the person so charged is presumed innocent of the allegations unless or until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Friday,​ Aug. 23 at 11:23 p.m.,​ a Marshall County Deputy initiated a traffic stop on a gray Nissan Altima for a moving violation. The Nissan fled the traffic stop and a pursuit of the vehicle ensued.

The Nissan led police on a chase through US 31,​ 13th Rd, and SR 8 in Marshall County. The chase continued into Starke County and ended in the City of Knox when the suspect vehicle lost control and struck a curb. The impact disabled the vehicle.
Both occupants exited the vehicle and fled on foot. ​A Marshall County K9 deputy utilized his partner to track one of the suspects.
The Deputy and his K9 were successful in apprehending the driver,​ Davion J Stackhouse of Illinois. The other suspect was not located. Marijuana and other items to aid in the identification of the passenger who fled were located in the vehicle.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Aug. 22,​ at 9:30 p.m., a Marshall County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Deputy conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the area of US 30 and Plymouth-Goshen Trail.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as 27-year-old Nacala Koudou. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as 36-year-old Desmond Henderson. During the traffic stop,​ Plymouth Police Department K-9 Officer Castor conducted an open-air sniff around the vehicle and alerted to the presence of drugs.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and suspected drugs were located inside. Koudou was found to be operating the vehicle with an Indiana identification card with a status of suspended with a prior conviction and had never obtained a license. Koudou was suspected of operating a vehicle while intoxicated by a controlled substance and transported to Plymouth Hospital for a chemical test. Koudou was then transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked for possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug of more than 5 grams but less than 10 grams,​ operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person,​ possession of marijuana,​ driving while suspended with a prior conviction,​ and operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license. ​
Henderson was also transported to the Marshall County Jail and booked for possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug of more than 5 grams but less than 10 grams and possession of marijuana.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by the Plymouth Police Department.

PLYMOUTH — On Aug. 25 at 6:38 p.m., Officers with the Plymouth Police Department stopped a vehicle for turning left at a red light at Garro Street and Michigan Street.

The vehicle pulled over on Michigan Street south of Laporte Street. The driver was later identified as Celvin Martinez Avilez, 34, of Bremen. It was determined that Martinez-Avilez has never had a driver’s license. He was arrested and transported to Marshall County Jail where he was booked in for operator never licensed.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

PLYMOUTH — On Thursday, Aug. 22,​ at 9:40 p.m., a Marshall County Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Plymouth – Goshen Trl. and Elk Run Dr. ​

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that the driver of the vehicle,​ Ivis Dallany ​Avilez Siles of Plymouth,​ did not have a license and never had received a license. ​Avilez Siles was then arrested and lodged in the Marshall County Jail for operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license.

Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

By Jamie Fleury Pilot News Staff Writer

PLYMOUTH — Representatives from Baker Tilly presented the Capital Affordability Plan – 2024 to the Plymouth Common Council Monday evening.

In summary, the City of Plymouth has a sustainable General Fund and a robust Rainy Day Fund.
The current balance for the General fund with investments is $10,082,256.
The current balance for the Rainy Day fund with investments is $5,744,565.
Some of the City’s highest goals include a $4M building for Police and a $7M pool in the future.
The proposed 2025 budget will include two new positions – a Plan Director and Administrative Assistant costing an additional $303,000.
The 2026 budget assumes that the Fire Department will add three additional full time hires with salary and benefits estimated at $130,000 per employee.
This report was not the 2025 Budget but can be utilized to inform decisions regarding that budget. The 2025 Budget will be proposed and advertised accordingly starting in September.

The Marshall County Commissioners took action Monday, August 19 to approve a proposal for a rooftop unit at the Marshall County Jail.

Jail Maintenance Director John Greer presented two proposals for the purchase of the last of the 10 rooftop units to be replaced at the jail.  He said the lowest proposal came from H&G Services in the amount of $144,800.  

The purchase would be in the sheriff’s budget for 2025. Greer said even though the rooftop unit will likely be delivered by the end of the year, the county will not billed until January so an additional appropriation will not be needed.  

The commissioners unanimously approved the bid from H&G Services.  

Greer added that the surge suppressor was replaced at the jail and a new sidewalk is being installed at the facility in front of the facility.