On February 20, 2025, the investigators, which included Indiana State Police SWAT, the Bluffton Police Department, and the FBI, served a search warrant at an address on Franklin Ave in Fort Wayne, Indiana. While serving the warrant, another victim of human trafficking was recovered. The victim was offered services and medical attention. During the investigation at the Fort Wayne address detectives also found an amount of suspected fentanyl.

With the cooperation of the initial victim, it was determined that Leticia Granados and Harley Cooley were involved in online solicitation of the child and themselves. It was also discovered that there are other victims involved.

Indiana State Police is actively seeking out other victims. If anyone has information involving Leticia Granados or Harley Cooley having contact with victims for sex trafficking, please contact the Indiana State Police Fort Wayne Post at 260-432-8661.

Leticia Granados (21) of Fort Wayne was arrested for:

• Promotion of Human Sex Trafficking of a Child a Level 3 Felony—2 Counts.
• Child Exploitation-Production of Child Pornography Level 5 Felony—1 Count.

Harley Cooley (20) of Fort Wayne was arrested for:

• Promotion of Human Sex Trafficking of a Child a Level 3 Felony—2 Counts.
• Child Exploitation-Production of Child Pornography Level 5 Felony—1 Count.

*All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

The post Fort Wayne Women Arrested on Human Trafficking Charges appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

On February 1, 2025, around 4:45 p.m., IMPD officers responded to Target, located at 4850 E. Southport Road, for a shoplifting investigation.  When it was discovered the individual involved was a current off-duty IMPD sergeant, detectives from the investigations division were contacted to further the investigation.  This case was presented to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for a final charging decision.    

On February 6, 2025, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges on Sara Lamkin for theft, an A misdemeanor, and a summons was issued.  Her initial hearing date is scheduled for March 6, 2025. 

Lamkin is a 17-year officer of the IMPD and was most recently assigned to the Professional Standards Bureau.  IMPD detectives have been working with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office on this case and will continue their collaboration.  Lamkin is on paid leave pending a thorough review of the facts. 

IMPD Internal Affairs will conduct an administrative investigation and present the findings to Chief Bailey for review. 

Lamkin, as with any person charged, should be considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.    

Case Number IP250009214

SOURCE: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department

The post IMPD Sergeant Charged with Shoplifting from Target appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

January 2, 2025, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Indiana State Police Detectives were notified of two gunshot victims at Indianapolis area hospitals, the two people were allegedly shot while inside the same vehicle on I-70 near Emerson Avenue. According to hospital staff, one of the victims drove to the hospital and carried an unresponsive female into the emergency room. The male victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries identified as gunshot wounds. The female victim remains hospitalized in very critical condition with a gunshot wound.

Indiana State Police Detectives immediately began following leads and were able to identify a possible suspect. It was determined the shots were fired by occupants of another vehicle on I-70. Last night, February 5, 2025, Indiana State Police Detectives arrested 19-year-old Donte Roney of Indianapolis. He faces the preliminary charges of Criminal Recklessness and Attempted Murder. He was transported to the Marion County Jail where he is currently being held.

In 2024, troopers investigated 70 shootings on Indianapolis area interstates. Additionally, troopers in the Indianapolis District responded to 280 calls of someone pointing or displaying a firearm during a road rage encounter. The Indianapolis District comprises Marion, Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Hendricks, and Boone Counties.

The case has been turned over to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. All crimes mentioned in this release are alleged and all suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

The post ISP: Arrest Made from January 2nd Interstate Shooting appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

FTA today announced a grant award of $149.9 million to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) to help fund construction of the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Central Indiana. The 24-mile BRT line will provide fast and frequent public transportation along one of Marion County, Indiana’s main east-west travel corridors. The corridor serves over 28 million visitors for conventions, meetings, and events and supports approximately 150,000 jobs. 

The project includes 12 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes in the urban core, helping speed riders on their way. The corridor encompasses some of the region’s largest trip generators, including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, the airport, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Blue Line will also stop at three high schools and several planned redevelopment areas. 

The project includes 60-foot hybrid buses, helping improve air quality. With more than 45,000 people within walking distance of a station in the corridor, service will operate 20 hours per weekday, with frequent service. 

WHAT IS THE BLUE LINE?

BUS LINE CONTROVERSY

The dedicated bus lanes for the completed Red Line and the 78% completed Purple Line, on top of the dangerous dedicated bike lanes, have created massive traffic headaches for vehicular traffic by taking up an already short supply of traffic lanes, especially in downtown Indianapolis. And maybe that’s one of their goals under the misguided guise of “climate change” practices?

While some in Indianapolis would like a better public transportation system, ourselves included, dedicated bus lanes aren’t the answer, especially when the powers that be have repeatedly shot down the idea of light rail that necessitates dedicated infrastructure. Busses do not need their own lanes, so someone needs to explain their expensive creation with a valid argument. We’ll be waiting.

Truth be told, Indianapolis is a commuter city. We like our cars in Indy.

Onto other issues within the community, over the past decade, the eastside community of Irvington raised funds to create streetscapes on Washington Street. Those streetscapes now face potential demolition to make way for the Blue Line. Residents and donors are furious, and who can blame them?

Additionally, IndyGo rolled out electric buses a few years ago that can’t seem to stay charged during colder weather and have to stop in the middle of their routes for a semi-charge to finish out the route. This is completely shortsighted but is on par with the overall administration of Indianapolis. We don’t tend to elect or hire the sharpest tools in the shed around here. We’ll sit back and watch this unfold with the rest of the community. Hopefully, they prove us wrong for a change.

SOURCES: Federal Transit Administration and IndyGo

The post FTA Grants $149.9 Million to IndyGo for Controversial Blue Line appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

• Normal Wednesday trash pickup will occur on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
• Normal Thursday trash pickup will occur on Friday, January 3, 2025.
• Normal Friday trash pickup will occur on Saturday, January 4, 2025.

Additional Indianapolis Trash Pickup Information

For more information on trash collection, please visit indy.gov. To report any trash and city-related issues, please use the RequestIndy portal online or the mobile app on your smartphone.

You can also report trash-related and other issues around the city by calling the Mayor’s Action Center (MAC) at 317-327-4622.

The post New Year’s Day Indianapolis Trash Pickup 2025 appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

• Normal Wednesday trash pickup will occur on Thursday, December 26, 2024.
• Normal Thursday trash pickup will occur on Friday, December 27, 2024.
• Normal Friday trash pickup will occur on Saturday, December 28, 2024.

Additional Indianapolis Trash Pickup Information

For more information on trash collection, please visit indy.gov. To report any trash and city-related issues, please use the RequestIndy portal online or the mobile app on your smartphone.

You can also report trash-related and other issues around the city by calling the Mayor’s Action Center (MAC) at 317-327-4622.

The post Christmas Day Indianapolis Trash Pickup – Wednesday, December 25, 2024 appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.

• No visitors under the age of 18.
• No visitors with symptoms of illness such as sudden onset of fever, cough, headache, muscle and joint pain, sore throat, and runny nose.

Marion County hospitals participating in the temporary visitor restrictions include those within Community Health Network, Franciscan Health Indianapolis, Ascension St. Vincent, Indiana University Health, and Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital.

Doctor Caine is also pushing the currently controversial and questionable flu, RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus), and COVID-19 “vaccines”. Please do your own research and do what you feel is right and safe for you and your family.

The post Caine Requests Marion County Hospital Visitor Restrictions appeared first on Indiana Chronicle.