INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A New Palestine man died in a crash involving an overturned vehicle that closed U.S. 40 near the Marion-Hancock county line on Thursday afternoon, Indiana State Police said in a news release.
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter about 1:25 p.m. Thursday alerted dispatchers of a serious crash he had come upon along U.S. 40 between Muessing Street and Carroll Road in Cumberland, the release and the Indiana Department of Transportation said.
“Emergency crews were called to the scene and Superintendent Carter rendered aid to the victims until medics arrived,” the release said.
Jeffrey Denton, 64, died after being taken to a hospital.
Two occupants in another vehicle went to a hospital with minor injuries.
Denton was driving a silver Chrysler — the release did not say what type of vehicle — west on U.S. 40 when he crossed the centerline and struck a 2019 Dodge Journey sport utility vehicle. The SUV overturned and came to rest on its top. The silver Chrysler continued across the eastbound lanes and into a deep ditch on the south side of U.S. 40.
Police don’t yet know what caused the crash. Both drivers were to be tested for intoxication.
The eastbound lanes of U.S. 40 were closed until 4:00 p.m. while the crash was investigated. The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, the Cumberland Police Department and the Sugar Creek Fire Department.
The road, which was closed for several hours, reopened sometime before 6:20 p.m.
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) — A 32-year-old Cumberland mother was charged Wednesday with the murder of her 8-year-old daughter, the Marion County prosecutor said.
Kimberly Grosklos was also charged with aggravated battery, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and battery resulting in serious bodily injury.
Her boyfriend Derrick Dale lived with Grosklos and the child in a Cumberland apartment. The 29-year-old man was charged as a co-defendant with neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Cumberland Police Department was called about 4:20 p.m. April 6 to assist an emergency medical crew with an unresponsive 8-year-old girl at Grosklos’ apartment in the 11500 block of Kirkwood Drive. That’s in The Arbors at Cumberland apartments.
Grosklos and Dale told authorities the child was found unconscious in the bathtub and moved to a bedroom where they attempted CPR. Gronklos and Dale also admitted to not calling 911 immediately after locating the child unresponsive in the tub.
The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said in a news release, “The child was transported to the hospital where she died a short time later. Investigators were informed the child had sustained extensive recent injuries to her body that were constituent with abuse.”
An autopsy showed severe trauma to multiple areas of the girl’s body, and the cause of death was determined to be nonaccidental trauma and suffocation. Significant hemorrhaging and extensive bruising was believed to be consistent with being whipped by an object, the release said. The autopsy also showed the injuries could have been sustained by a vehicle’s jumper cables, and a search of the apartment found jumper cables in the master bedroom closet.
In the release, Prosecutor Ryan Mears noted the risk to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. “During this quarantine period with schools closed, many of the traditional safety-nets for discovering and reporting child abuse are absent. It is imperative now more than ever that we remain cognizant of the most vulnerable members of our communities, especially children. If you see, hear, or suspect abuse or neglect, you have a responsibility to report it,” he said.
Dale was being held in the Marion County on a $100,000 bond.
Grosklos was not listed in online jail records, but in an initial court hearing Wednesday with Dale, she was to be held without bond.
The two were scheduled for a June 15 jury trial in Marion Superior Court Criminal Division 6.
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) – Police have arrested two teenagers after a customer leaving a Dollar General store was robbed and fatally shot.
The customer had exited the Dollar General on Monday night when suddenly a man ran up to the customer, making him the victim of a robbery in the parking lot, police said.
Police say the customer, identified Tuesday as 37-year-old Gregory Raley, was coming out of the store. He was then taken around the corner where he was robbed and shot. Raley was found laying on the ground outside the store and later died.
The suspect fled north of the store on foot, police believed.
Police were called shortly after 8:45 p.m. Monday to the retailer at 12046 E. Washington St. on a report of a person shot and a robbery in progress.
During the investigation of the robbery of the customer, police learned a second robbery was underway in the store. They began a manhunt of the area for that suspect.
According to Cumberland police, four people of interest – three juveniles and an 18-year-old – have been detained in connection to the the robbery and shooting.
On Tuesday, the Marion County prosecutor announced two teens had been arrested, although their names have not been release.
Dollar General declined to make a statement about the crime.
During the investigation, East Washington Street was shut down in the area, and people were being told to shelter in place in the vicinity and, if they go out, to be watchful as police continued to look for the store robbery suspect.
The store is next to Pizza King, which was robbed Friday night. The Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department earlier Monday released video of the armed robbery at the pizzeria. Police said the suspects entered the restaurant around 10:45 p.m. Friday. The video shows the men entering the kitchen area by hopping the counter.
Anyone with information on the robbery cases can call detectives at 317-894-3525 or email the police department at CumberlandPoliceChief@indy.gov. Tips can also be made anonymously at 317-262-TIPS (8477).
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) – The Cumberland Police Department is searching for two suspects in connection to an armed gas station robbery.
According to CPD, the armed robbery took place on Nov. 19 at the Speedway gas station in the 900 block of North German Church Road.
The suspects are described as males in their mid-teens to late 20s.
At the time of the robbery, one of the suspects was wearing black shoes, black gloves, black pants, a black jacket with a hood and a red bandana across his face. That suspect was also carrying a gun.
The suspect was wearing a light gray Nike sweatshirt, black shoes, tan gloves and a black mask over his face.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Cumberland Police Department at 317-894-3525 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477.
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) — A Silver Alert has been declared for a 61-year-old Cumberland man.
The Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department is searching for Curtis Wilson, who was last seen Tuesday driving a red 2004 Pontiac Vibe with Indiana plate VOK113. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Police describe Wilson as a black male, 5-feet-4, weighing 250 pounds, and bald with brown eyes. Wilson was last seen wearing a black shirt, black shorts and white tennis shoes and has the word “Libra” tattooed on his arm.
If you have any information on Wilson’s whereabouts, contact the Cumberland Metropolitan Police Department at 317-264-9607 or dial 911.
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) — Retired detectives are volunteering their time working on a cold case in our area.
Several retired Lawrence Police Department detectives meet regularly for breakfast.
One of the times they met, the idea of working on cold cases came up. They reached out to the Cumberland police chief to see if he was interested.
He took them up on their offer, to try to figure out what happened to Seth Dunn.
Dunn was found shot to death by his girlfriend in his Cumberland apartment on June 25, 2015.
“When we first got there the way this was called in, I think the officers believed it to have been a suicide, and then after the coroner got there and the body had been manipulated a bit. We discovered there was no weapon,” said Cumberland Police Commander Suzanne Woodland.
No weapon. A wallet and cell phone were also gone. And three years after Dunn’s death, the person police believe may be responsible, is also not in their possession.
“I think after time has gone on and we keep looking at it and thinking of how else can we approach this, I think that’s when we collectively decided we need to get some fresh minds in to help out with a different perspective,” said Woodland.
The fresh minds they got are also experienced ones.
“It’s just always been interesting to do it,” said retired Lawrence Police detective Thomas Zentz.
He currently works as an investigator for the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office and a reserve detective for Cumberland.
“We want to accomplish justice for Seth Dunn and his family,” said Zentz.
He’s one of three former detectives looking at the case.
“Whatever our conclusions, you don’t know until we get into this thing, not saying they missed something, something might have been missed and that way we can go over and double check work. We’re here to try and help a good conclusion for it and closure for the family,” said Zentz.
“I think I’m lucky to have this wealth of knowledge and experience to even look at this. I think a lot of investigators would be thrilled to have this kind of what’s set up for them to help,” said Woodland.
She went over the entire case with those retired detectives, as well as a member of the DEA and Indianapolis Airport Authority Police, part of the group reviewing the case, on Monday, July 9.
She gave everyone in attendance the probable cause she had typed about the case and crime scene photos. She also shared what she believes happened to Seth Dunn.
“Initially, and I still believe this to be true, is I think this was an accident. I think you had somebody who was in the apartment with Seth who as messing with a weapon that was not fully knowledgeable about weapons and weapons need to be respected and people don’t respect weapons and accidents happen. So, I think this was an accident and this could have been resolved that night if that person had stepped up and say, ‘Hey, this was an accident. I didn’t mean for this to happen.’ But here we are three years out and they haven’t come forward,” said Woodland.
She also believes she knows who did it.
“I know this person. We know who you are. They know who they are. Just for them to do the right thing and come forward and do what’s right, if it was an accident, it was an accident,” she said.
It’s a conclusion that might change as the review continues into what happened to Seth Dunn.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Cumberland Police Department. They have two tip lines. One is 317-894-3525 and an anonymous tip line at 317-894-6208. You can also always leave tips anonymously with Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS.
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) – The town of Cumberland has issued a boil water advisory for Gem Water customers until further notice.
Water should be brought to a rolling boil for at least three minutes before using for drinking or cooking. Water is OK for bathing, washing and other common uses.
This is a precautionary advisory and is being issued in accordance with Indiana regulations. Anytime water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch in the system, a boil advisory must be issued to protect customers as a precautionary.
The boil water advisory, issued at 9 p.m. Monday, was expected to last no more than 36 to 48 hours.
The town of about 5,000 people straddles the border of Marion and Hancock counties.
Updates may be found on the town web page and the town Facebook page.
Customers with questions were asked to call the town at (317) 339-2655 or email blipps@town-cumberland.com.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two groups of juveniles were apprehended Saturday after one group opened fire on the other outside an elementary school, and a police officer fired a shot.
Police say that before officers arrived at Brookview Elementary School, at 1550 N. Cumberland Road, just before 3:30 p.m. Saturday, two groups made up of juveniles were there. One group opened fire on the other group in the rear parking lot of the school, according to Sgt. Foley with Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Brookview Elementary School is part of the Metropolitan School District of Warren Township.
When a Cumberland police officer arrived at the scene, he fired a shot. That shot did not strike anyone.
Officers apprehended the groups of juveniles, Foley said; none were under arrest on Saturday afternoon. Police confirmed two people apprehended but did not confirm the total number of juveniles involved.
One juvenile suffered a minor injury during the incident, but not from a weapon.
IMPD is leading the investigation into the incident.
Cumberland Police Department said the incident remained under investigation and would provide information when available.
CUMBERLAND, Ind. (WISH) — The Cumberland Police Department announced a new mental health response initiative Wednesday called Cumberland Assertive Response and Engagement Unit, or CARE, for short.
Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill attended the news conference with Cumberland Police Chief Michael Crooke. Both explained the problems that the CARE Unit will address.
“In 2017, we had 30 locations here in town that we revisited more than one time. Some of them five, one of them 29 times in a year. They were not criminal issues, they were all mental health issues,” Crooke said. “That amounts to quite a number of our officers being out of service.”
Chief Crooke said he felt his officers’ time could be better spent if the department took a difference approach.
“Law enforcement, first responders are at the tip of the spear, they’re at the point, finding these things in real time,” agreed Hill. “And we need to do everything as a community to make sure they have our support.”
The program would combine resources within Cumberland to assist law enforcement officers on emergency calls as well as working with individuals already known to the department. Chief Crooke mentioned bringing in mental health experts, police chaplains, town officials, community members, and emergency medical providers.
“The idea behind it is that we will work with a clinologist, a police officer, and a paramedic or someone from the health field, and we will go out and talk to people that have come into our system through needing mental health help,” Chief Crooke said. “And we will try to get them hooked up with the right people.”
Cumberland officers have already received 40 hours of mental health response training, and while CARE organizers weren’t clear on which team members would respond in which situations, they’re to get the program moving toward its goals of reducing risk of injury to officers or those in need, reducing unnecessary arrests, and reducing the caseload for prosecutors and courts.
“It’s wonderful that law enforcement is recognizing they can do more than lock people up,” said Hill. “They can help recognize people who need assistance and to train their officers and get involved in solving these problems and working together in the mental health community.”
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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Some central Indiana police chiefs are presenting their officers with a pledge to do whatever they can to save lives in an active shooter situation.
Warren Township School District Police Department Chief Adrian Pettis showed the pledge to his officers Monday morning.
“Being a school resource officer, we want to make sure that the precious cargo comes home,” Pettis said.
The pledge reads, in part: “If I am ever faced with an in-progress active shooter/killer and I can make a difference, I will use my superior attitude, superior training, superior tactics and superior weapon (superior because it is in my trained hands) to become an army of one!”
Pettis said his department already does whatever it can to keep students and staff safe — and the officers already took an oath to serve and protect — but he wants to remind the officers of the importance of their jobs.
“We want to make sure the staff and students inside our facilities are safe and feel safe,” Pettis said.
The Cumberland Police Department chief said he’s also showing his officers the pledge.
Both police chiefs said their officers are not required to sign it, but it reinforces their duties.
The pledge goes on to state, “If left with no other options and presented with the opportunity to stop the killing — I will take the shot and make the shot.”
Pettis said his team also runs training on active shooters. He said every situation is different and he wants the district’s security personnel, which consists of three armed police officers and six unarmed school safety officers, to be ready for anything.
Both Pettis and the Cumberland chief said they did not write the pledge. It has been posted online in several spots, including the law enforcement website policeone.com.