Cause of blaze determined in house fire
(Indianapolis) – Fire investigators say a 4-year-old boy playing with a lighter caused a blaze at a near north side home Wednesday. Shortly after 5 p.m., fire personnel were dispatched to a home in the 3000 block of Ruckle Street. When firefighters arrived, they found a two-story home with heavy smoke and fire coming from the second floor. According to investigators, ages 14 and 12 were home at the time of the blaze. All three were able to escape the burning structure without injury. The parents of the children returned home shortly after the firefighters arrived at the scene.
Police pursuit ends in arrest
(Indianapolis) – A man who police believe had been drinking before getting behind the wheel was arrested Thursday morning after leading police on a chase. The pursuit started in the 3300 block of Fall Creek Parkway about 9:15 a.m. Todd Spradlin, 44, of Anderson, was driving an SUV northbound in a southbound lane. Officers attempted to pull him over, but Spradlin refused. The pursuit reached the intersection of 46th Street and Binford Boulevard where he sideswiped two other vehicles, lost control of his vehicle and then slid down an embankment. Spradlin was arrested on charges of fleeing and resisting law enforcement and was taken to Wishard Hospital for a blood draw. No one was injured in the incident.
Charges expected against suspect in abduction-murder case
(Fort Wayne) – The man accused of killing and then dismembering a nine-year-old girl is expected to be formally charged today. Michael Plumadore, 39, has been charged with murder after he reportedly confessed to killing Aliahna Lemmon. The Allen County Sheriff’s Department says Plumadore will not make a court appearance today as originally scheduled. , but is expected to appear in court by next Wednesday.
Program to help female inmates suspended
(Indianapolis) – The Marion County Sheriff’s Department announced earlier this week that the Liberty Hall program designed to provide rehabilitation opportunities to incarcerated women has been suspended. Liberty Hall located at 675 E. Washington St. is a private facility housing low-security women offenders and is owned and operated by New Jersey-based Community Education Centers Inc. The sheriff’s department cited budget cuts as the reason for the suspension of the five year pilot project. The offenders will be returned to the Marion County Jail by the end of this week.
