Parke County Sheriff's Office

2/3-Deputies stopped a vehicle on SR 163 for Expired Plates. During the traffic stop, deputies observed indicators of criminal activity and called for K9 Thor of the Parke County Sheriff's Department to assist. While waiting on the K9 to arrive, the passenger, Lisa Swift, provided deputies with a false name. A short time later, K9 Thor arrived on scene a gave a positive indication on the vehicle. A vehicle search was conducted and deputies located over 30 grams of marijuana and numerous THC vape cartridges. Lisa was taken into custody and transported to the Parke County Jail where she remains on a $5,000 no 10% bond. The driver was issued a warning for the expired plates and released from the scene. 

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2/1-Parke County Deputies were dispatched to a person laying near a roadway on CR 275 S. near Catlin Rd. When emergency services arrived, they located a female, later identified as Jane Ratcliff (72) of Montezuma, and initiated life saving measures. These measures where unsuccessful and she was pronounced deceased at the scene. Parke County Deputies are investigating the incident but at this time no foul play is suspected. It was also learned that Jane had been staying near this location for several weeks. Parke County Deputies were assisted by Rockville Fire Department, Parke County EMS, Parke County Coroners Office, and Rockville Police Department.

 

1/31-Parke County Deputies responded to the area of US HWY 41 and CR 610 S., for a report of a vehicle that had run off the roadway into a field. Deputies arrived and made contact with the driver, identified as 43 year old Cecilia Vandevender of Rockville. Deputies performed an investigation and determined that Vandevender was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, causing her to veer off of the roadway. Vandevender was taken into custody and transported to the Parke County Jail. While jail staff was attempting to book Cecilia in. Cecilia became aggressive and kicked a jail officer. Parke County Deputies assisted jail staff. Cecilia was charged with battery on a public safety official and being held on  $10,000 bond with no 10%. 

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1/30-Parke County Deputies responded to a single vehicle crash. Deputies arrived and upon further investigation, the driver of the vehicle, identified as Taryn Webster of Kingman was determined to be impaired. Webster refused medical treatment on scene and was taken into custody and transported to the Parke County Jail where he is being held on  $8,000 bond with 10% allowed. 

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1/30-Parke County Sheriff's Office deputies were notified of an attempted fraud involving a Parke County resident. The resident reported receiving a phone call from an individual claiming they had an outstanding warrant and needed to resolved the matter immediately. The caller instructed the resident to withdraw $12,000 in cash and deposit the funds into a Bitcoin ATM to avoid arrest. The resident stated she received text messages displaying what appeared to be a warrant, along with multiple phone calls from the same number. When the resident threatened to contact law enforcement, the scammer placed another call using a spoofed phone number that appeared to be the Parke County Sheriff's Office, falsely identifying themselves as law enforcement. The Parke County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that law enforcement agencies will NEVER request payment over the phone, via text messages, or through Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. If you receive a call of this nature, do not provide any personal or financial information and contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. Individuals with legitimate warrants can address them in person at the Parke County Jail or by reporting to the Parke County Clerks Office.

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1/30-Parke County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of 10916 E. US HWY 36 on a vehicle off the side of the roadway and the driver was slumped over the steering wheel. During the investigation Parke County Sheriff's Deputies arrested Elizabeth A. Wheeler (48) of Rockville, for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Shei s being held on an $8,000 bond.

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1/30-Deputies were called to Clinton Union Hospital ER where a victim who had been badly battered was being checked out by hospital staff for their injuries. It was reported by Jacob Hensley (20) of Clinton that he had been battered by two male individuals in the front yard of Burnett Manor Apartments. It was reported during the battery, both males took property from Jacob, including money. This case is still under investigation and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Parke County Sheriff's Department. Deputies were assisted by Rockville Police Department. 

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1/28-A report was filed in reference to intimidation against a male in Illinois. The case will be forwarded to the Parke County Prosecutor's Office for review of criminal charges.