South Bend Police Department Press Release

For Latest News Releases and Other Information Click Here

2009-12-15T15:53:00.001-05:00

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See the SBPD Blog for the latest news and media releases.

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Beware of Counterfeit Money

2009-11-27T17:08:00.000-05:00

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The South Bend Police Department has seen an increase in both the quantity and quality of counterfeit U.S. currency in recent weeks. At one large retail location within the last three weeks, the SBPD was summoned and presented with five counterfeit $100.00 bills that eluded detection until it was too late. The highest quality bills are produced by a method in which a real U.S. $10.00 bill is washed until the ink is gone, then the paper is passed through a high quality printer rendering a counterfeit $50 or $100.00 bill. By utilizing this process, the "feel" of the bill is maintained and it will pass the counterfeit detection pen test used by many retail establishments. On the other hand, simply scanning and printing $20.00 bills on a good bond of plain paper is alive and well and these forgeries are still finding their way into cash registers.

Without a doubt, the best method for merchants and the public to not fall victim to these thieves is by being properly trained in what legitimate bank notes look like. The re-designed U.S. currency makes use of many printing techniques to improve legitimacy however if retail staff or consumers are not aware, these upgrades are useless. There are very few forgeries that will pass most of the tests that the average person can perform on the spot. Detecting forgeries immediately helps law enforcement, consumers and retailers at the same time.

The SBPD urges everyone to be familiar with the elements of legitimate currency. For examples of real U.S. banknotes look here: http://bit.ly/524vf1

Help ID This Robbery Suspect

2009-11-18T13:18:00.000-05:00

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Click the title to see the suspect's picture

Help the SBPD Identify This Woman

2009-10-28T14:19:00.002-04:00

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Help us determine the identity of this woman. Click on the Title/link to be directed to our blog to see her.

Help Locate a Person of Interest in the BOA Robbery

2009-10-20T16:07:00.002-04:00

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The following individual is being sought for questioning concerning the robbery of the Bank Of America branch at 1404 E. Ireland Rd. on Monday, October 19, 2009:

Kevin Matthew Bowen, M/White 36
5′-07″; 130#; Blonde hair, Blue eyes

Bowen is known to frequent both the South Bend and Mishawaka areas.

If you know Kevin Bowen’s whereabouts call the South Bend Police Department immediately at 574.235.9201

*Click the title for a photo*

Help the SBPD Identify a Bank Robber

2009-10-19T16:02:00.000-04:00

At 1:02 PM, the SBPD received a call of a robbery at the Bank of America branch, located at 1404 E. Ireland Rd. in the City. Officers arrived and were told that a male white subject had entered the bank, approached a teller and demanded money. He stated that he was armed, however no weapon was seen. After securing a sum of cash the man fled on foot to the east and it is believed to the north, into a residential area. No one was injured and there were only a few patrons in the establishment during the robbery.

The suspect is described as:

Male, white. Approximately late 40's, 5'-06", thin build

with a gray goatee. He was wearing dark pants,

a blue (possibly Nike brand) wind shirt and a green

baseball cap.

See his images here: http://wp.me/pxPKg-O

Anyone that can help ID this bank robber is asked to call the SBPD at 574.235.9201 or Crime Stoppers at 574.288.STOP. Sgt. Ronald Nowicki is in charge of the investigation.

Counterfeit Money Scam Linked to ND Ticket "Scalpers"

2009-10-06T13:48:00.000-04:00

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The SBPD has received a complaint from a Chicago, IL man who reports being paid for a Notre Dame football ticket transaction in counterfeit U. S. currency.
A "tour guide" brought some individuals to South Bend from Chicago to attend the Notre Dame v. Washington game on October 3rd. He had a few no-show guests and was left with a quantity of extra tickets. He sold same to street vendors (so called, "scalpers") in the vicinity of Notre Dame Ave. and Angela Blvd. Upon returning to Chicago his bank alerted him to the fact that much of the money he had deposited was counterfeit.

Both counterfeit Notre Dame football tickets and now, currency have been linked to individuals selling tickets on the streets. Please beware and purchase tickets from legitimate sources.

Saturday Traffic Expected to Be Very Heavy

2009-09-18T12:42:00.001-04:00

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Your South Bend Police Department would like to remind everyone that this Saturday, Sept. 19, will be a very busy day for pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Not only will the Notre Dame vs. Michigan State fans create what will probably be the largest traffic draw of the season, but the "Salmon Chase" walk and run will cause significant road closures and delays during the morning hours in the Downtown and north/river neighborhoods. Please plan your travel accordingly and watch out for a very large number of pedestrians.

Lets make this a safe gameday.

Salmon Chase Map

Body Found In River / Updated

2009-09-12T15:05:00.003-04:00

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Update to yesterday's story: (The original appears below):

An autopsy was performed on the victim in this case this morning at 11:00am at the St. Joseph Hospital Morgue in Fort Wayne Indiana. Dr. Pramod Carpenter conducted the autopsy and found no signs of trauma to the victim and has determined the preliminary cause of death to be a result of drowning. Microscopic examinations and toxicology tests are pending at this time. The case is being considered an accidental death at this time.

Metro Homicide Unit Technicians were able to identify the victim through his identification, as well as several known tattoos and medical procedure information. The victim has been identified as:

Jeffery S. Elliott

Male white

53 years of age

Mr. Elliott was a resident of South Bend; however Investigators have not been able to locate any family members living locally. Investigators were able to make contact with a female friend of Mr. Elliott’s, who told them that Mr. Elliott’s’ parents were both deceased, and that she knows of him to have a brother and a sister who both live outside the State of Indiana. All attempts to find Mr. Elliott’s siblings have been fruitless to this point.

     The Metro Homicide Unit is asking anyone who may have information regarding Mr. Elliott, his family or his activities since September 3^rd, 2009 to please contact Lt. Brian Young at 574-235-5009.

Capt. Michael D. Grzegorek
Assistant Commander
St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit

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At 12:16 PM, this date, the SBPD Communications Center received a call from a citizen reporting what she believed to be a body in the St. Joseph River adjacent to the 900 block of Northside Blvd. SBFD Water Rescue personnel arrived and confirmed the fact that there were human remains approximately 10 yards from shore and began to recover the body.

The St. Joseph County Metro Homicide Unit (MHU) was called along with the County Coroner's Office as is standard procedure in these type of found body incidents and they will investigate the case. An autopsy has been ordered and the body has been transported to a morgue in the region. The exact time and date of the autopsy is unknown at this time.

The individual appeared to be a middle-aged male white, fully clothed and wearing prescription eyeglasses. There was a wallet discovered in this person's clothing and an Indiana ID card located in same, however it will take additional research to verify the identity. The body appeared to have been in the water for several days at the least.

Help Find Missing Leroy Mahan of South Bend: UPDATE

2009-08-01T15:16:00.002-04:00

FOUND ! 8/12/09 Cancel Missing Persons Report.
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Leroy Mahan was reported to police as missing Thursday, after he failed to return from a bike ride.

Family members say Mahan was last seen in the area near Donmoyer and South Main streets about 11:15 a.m., riding a green woman's mountain bike. He had left his family's house wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, a silver watch and black shoes. He also has a tattoo of a cowboy hat on his arm.

Mahan, who is 5 feet 8 inches tall with a medium build, left home without medications for a heart condition and a mental condition.

Anyone with information about Mahan's whereabouts is asked to call the South Bend Police Department at (574) 235-9361.

Captain Steve Richmonds Graduates From Northwestern Univ. Command School

2009-07-29T14:03:00.008-04:00

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The South Bend Police Department is pleased to announce the recent graduation of Captain Steven Richmond from the School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) at Northwestern University. Captain Richmond, a 25 year veteran of the department and currently assigned to the Investigative Division, has successfully completed the ten (10) week Staff and Command program held in Evanston, Illinois from March 23 - May 29, 2009. This program, which was implemented by the Center for Public Safety in 1983, has graduated over 7500 students both nationally and internationally. Captain Steven Richmond was a student in SPSC Class 282nd which accommodated a total of 26 students for the ten week period.

The School of Police Staff and Command provides upper-level college instruction in a total of twenty-two core or mandatory blocks of instruction and utilizes nine additional optional blocks of instruction during each session. The major topics of study include: Management and Management Theory, Organizational Behavior, Human Resources for Law Enforcement, Budgeting, Staffing Allocation and Personnel Deployment.

Each student is academically challenged through a total of eighteen written examinations, projects, and quizzes in addition to two research papers that are a required part of the curriculum. Upon successful completion, students may be awarded a total of 8 units of undergraduate credit from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

The Center for Public Safety was established at Northwestern University in 1936 with the specific goal of expanding university-based education and training for the Law Enforcement Community. Since its inception, the Center has broadened its original objective and now provides a variety of courses and programs in the area of Police Training, Management Training, and Executive Development.

The South Bend Police Department anticipates a variety of benefits from Captain Steven Richmond attendance at this program. Many of the program's graduates do go on to achieve a variety of leadership positions within their respective agencies. Currently, over 750 graduates hold the title of Chief of Police and 39 of the 50 Directors of State Police Agencies are also graduates of this program.

Officer Wins Two Traffic Enforcement Awards

2009-07-24T14:49:00.003-04:00

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South Bend PD Corporal Ronald Glon has won two awards from the St. Joseph County DUI Task Force. The task force is a collaboration of local law enforcement agencies that are funded by Indiana State traffic safety grants to provide extra patrols to curtail drinking and driving and perform general safety patrols. During 2008, Corporal Glon was heavily involved in the traffic safety programs and his awards consisted of:

-St. Joseph County DUI Task Force Officer of the Year

-Top Traffic Safety Officer (averaging 7.3 contacts per hour)

FYI: A contact is counted as any vehicle stop, whether it results in an arrest, citation or warning.

We congratulate Corporal Glon on a job well done.

National Night Out Against Crime, August 4th

2009-07-22T09:07:00.002-04:00

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On Tuesday Aug 4, 2009 citizens are being invited to join forces with communities nationwide for the Night Out Against Crime. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Family’s are invited to join the South Bend Police Department, St. Joseph County Police, and the Community Oriented Policing Leadership Council at Howard Park for a night of safety, free pizza and music.

There will be numerous safety booths, child safety information and neighborhood watch information, there will also be fire trucks, police vehicles, and the Med Flight Helicopter!. There will also be a walk against crime along the East Race starting a 7pm and a raffle for adult and children’s prizes after the walk.

If you have any questions about the Night Out Against Crime, phone the South Bend Police Crime Prevention Unit at 235-9037. We hope to see you there!!!

Presented by: South Bend Police Department / Crime Prevention Unit
Community Oriented Policing Leadership Council
St. Joseph County Police Department
Target (National Sponsor)

Fraud Targets Retailers

2009-07-16T16:40:00.002-04:00

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The department received a report from a local business that had suffered a $2,200.00 loss by way of a telephone scam that targets retail merchants. Businesses that sell cellular phone minutes in the form of a gift card or pre-pay minutes from major cell phone providers are the focus. These are often times convenience stores, gas stations, supermarkets and pharmacies.

The fraud suspect calls the retailer and claims to be from the retailers own "corporate office". If the store employee then, in fact, believes the caller, the employee is then convinced to enable cell phone cards and give the caller the data necessary to transfer the minutes onto a phone that the fraud suspect has under his or her control.

It is important that all retailers that deal in gift cards or pre-paid phone cards explain this threat to their employees. It is also suggested that retailers make clear policy that limits the contact with corporate offices to only outgoing phone calls or management only contact.

Wanted for Questioning for Bank Robbery

2009-07-08T20:33:00.006-04:00

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Update: Apprehended on 7/10/2009

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The following individual is wanted by the SBPD for questioning as a suspect in connection with today's robbery of the Mutual Bank located at 742 E. Ireland Rd. This person should be considered armed and dangerous.

PATTERSON, Andrew Dwane Jr.
Male black 33 years old.
5'10" 200

Patterson is a suspect in several area robberies in the recent past. That would include today's Mutual Bank Robbery which occurred at 4:56 PM in which he was positively identified by a witness. He was last seen leaving the Mutual Bank in a Yellow or Cream color 1980's possible Oldsmobile.

Patterson is currently out on bond for six (6) counts or robbery (some of which were armed) and two (2) counts of Auto Theft. This investigation is being led by Sgt. Ronald Nowicki of the SBPD Major Crimes Unit, 574.235.9263

Anyone with information on Patterson's whereabouts should call 911 and should not approach or attempt to apprehend him.

Help Apprehend this Fugitive: Douglas Grant

2009-07-07T13:05:00.004-04:00

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This fugitive is wanted for 6 counts of Attempted Murder and 1 count of Arson Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in connection with an early morning fire on July 6th 2009:

Douglas Grant, Male age 29; Considered homeless.
5'-10"; 175; Medium complexion, mustache, possibly now
shaved bald. Tattoo of a panther on arm.

If you know Douglas Grant's whereabouts please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 574.288.STOP

Help Identify Suspects In a Vandalism Spree

2009-07-01T12:19:00.004-04:00

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During the overnight hours on July 1st, vandals struck in the area of Elwood and O'Brien Streets on the City's Northwest Side. Approximately 30+ vehicles in the area were spray painted with gold, black, white or red spray paint. The vehicles were parked on the street, in front of residences and the painting consisted of wavy lines or loops and did not have any specific content.

The SBPD is seeking the person or persons that committed these destructive acts. We ask that anyone with information regarding the suspects in this case call the SBPD, Investigator Tomar Thomas at 574-235-9263 or Crime Stoppers at 288-STOP.

Here Are South Bend's Rules for Fireworks

2009-06-23T16:34:00.003-04:00

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Remember: This is the South Bend City Ordinance. If you are not in the City of South Bend, the legality of your fireworks could be vastly different.
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Sec. 13-59. Fireworks regulation.

(a) Consumer fireworks may be used within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend only under the provisions of this section.

(1) For purposes of this section, the term "consumer firework" means: a small firework that is designed primarily to produce visible effects by combustion, and that is required to comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations promulgated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 CFR 1507. The term also includes some small devices designed to produce an audible effect, such as whistling devices, ground devices containing fifty (50) milligrams or less of explosive composition, and aerial devices containing one hundred thirty (130) milligrams or less of explosive composition. Propelling or expelling charges consisting of a mixture of charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate are not considered as designed to produce an audible effect. Consumer fireworks:

a. Include:

1. Aerial devices, which include sky rockets, missile type rockets, helicopter or aerial spinners, roman candles, mines, and shells;
2. Ground audible devices, which include firecrackers, salutes, and chasers; and
3. Firework devices containing combinations of the effects described in clauses 1. and 2.; and

b. Do not include the following items:

1. Dipped sticks or wire sparklers. However, total pyrotechnic composition may not exceed one hundred (100) grams per item. Devices containing chlorate or perchlorate salts may not exceed five (5) grams in total composition per item.
2. Cylindrical fountains.
3. Cone fountains.
4. Illuminating torches.
5. Wheels.
6. Ground spinners.
7. Flitter sparklers.
8. Snakes or glow worms.
9. Smoke devices.
10. Trick noisemakers, which include:
i. Party poppers.
ii. Booby traps.
iii. Snappers.
iv. Trick matches.
v. Cigarette loads
vi. Auto burglar alarms.

(2) No person may use, ignite or discharge consumer fireworks within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend except during the following times:

a. Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. on June 29, 30, July 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

b. Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on July 4; and

c. Between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1.

(3) No person may use, ignite, or discharge consumer fireworks on any public street or in any public park within the corporate limits of the City of South Bend at any time.

(4) Any person violating this subsection shall be subject to the following penalties:
a. One hundred dollars ($100.00) for a first offense;
b. Two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) for a second;
c. Five hundred dollars ($500.00) for a third offense and every subsequent.

d. Any person issued a citation for violating any provision of section 13-59 shall make payment through the Ordinance Violations Bureau. Failure to make payment within thirty (30) days of the issuance of a citation for violation of any provision of section 13-59 shall result in the assessment of a late fee of fifty dollars ($50.00).

e. In such instances where using, igniting or discharging consumer fireworks results in a fire and damage is determined to be caused by negligence or the willful disregard or violation of any of the provisions of this article, a fine equal to the cost expended by the City to send fire suppression personnel and equipment to the location shall be assessed with said fine not exceeding two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).

f. A citation for a violation of section 13-59 shall be issued to the responsible party. A responsible party is defined as the person shown to have exclusive possession of the property (a present possessory interest). If no responsible party is present upon the premises, the responsible party is deemed to be the property owner(s), as determined by reference to the records of the St. Joseph County Assessor. In such an instance, copies of the citation must be mailed to the property owner as determined from the Assessor's records.

(b) Any person wishing to give a supervised public display of fireworks may do so by first procuring a license from the City and filing bond in the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00), conditioned on the payment of all damages which may be caused either to a person or property by reason of such licensed display or arising from any acts of the licensee, his agents, employees or subcontractors. The license fee shall be twenty dollars ($20.00) per day for each day of such public display.

(c) Any public display of fireworks shall be conducted in all things in accordance with the rules and regulations adopted and set out by the Fire Marshal of the State, and as the same are restricted or designated by the Acts of the General Assembly of the State. All definitions contained in such acts shall apply to the terms of this section.
(Code 1962, § 26-11; Ord. No. 9769-07, § I, 6-25-07)

Don't Fall for the Latest Email Scam

2009-06-22T12:35:00.001-04:00

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Apparently, someone has gone to the DHL Worldwide Delivery web site, stolen a few graphics and constructed an email that advises the recipient that they have a package containing $250,000.00 in U.S. currency awaiting delivery to them. All it takes is $150.00 for shipping and the persons address and telephone number. Most of these scams are from offshore sources and contain spelling and/or grammatical mistakes. It seems that common sense would dictate that no one is going to fall for such a thing, however they would not be doing this if it did not meet with at least a small degree of success.

Although this particular incarnation has chosen DHL as the pretext, there are several variations of this fraud. For whatever reason, the past month has generated a high number of complaints. We are aware of the volume of persons receiving this inquiry and most importantly, ask the public to discard these type of emails. Do not answer them and under no circumstances should one click any hyperlink or buttons. Simply delete the message immediately.

Help Locate this Missing Person

2009-06-16T12:33:00.004-04:00

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The SBPD received a report of a missing adult female, who was last seen on May 26, 2009. The 61 year old woman left her apartment near the intersection of Riverside Ct. and Riverside Dr.(1700 N. Riverside) on foot and has not been seen since.

The parties reporting her disappearance state that she has some physical issues that impair her ability to walk. She is also dependent of several medications. The missing woman is one:

Linda J. Rowe; F/W 61;
5'-01"/160#; Grey eyes/Brown Hair
Unknown clothing description.

Anyone with knowledge of Ms. Rowe's whereabouts is asked to call their local law enforcement agency or the SBPD at 235-9201.

Follow these stories instantly with SBPD Twitter updates on your cell phone.

Join Us For The 2009 Summer Tennis Program

2009-06-11T15:37:00.002-04:00

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SBPD Is now on Twitter!

2009-06-03T14:45:00.002-04:00

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Check us out and follow to get updates on breaking public safety alerts and news from the SBPD: http://twitter.com/southbendpolice

2009 Police Memorial Service Set For May 8th.

2009-05-05T13:38:00.005-04:00

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The 2009 Police Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 08, 2009 at 8:30 P.M. at the front of the SBPD Headquarters building located at 701 W. Sample Street.

This yearly service commemorates the fallen officers of the SBPD and marks the beginning of National Police Week, which officially begins on May 10.

Please attend this brief candlelight ceremony which is open to all.

Help Find This Missing Teen

2009-04-08T16:56:00.002-04:00

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The SBPD is investigating a case in which a 17 year old South Bend youth has run away and may be a danger to himself. Missing since April 1, 2009 is one:

Stacy A. Smart, male age 17
5'-08"; 170#; Brown/Brown
Last seen wearing Blue jeans and
a Blue shirt.

He is missing from the Northeast side of South Bend, and the last contact with him was through a friend at Adams High School. He has not been heard from since by any family or known friends.

Anyone with information on this missing person is asked to call the SBPD at 574-235-9201. If he is sighted, persons are asked to call their local law enforcement agency immediately.

Honor Guard Members to Attend Pittsburgh PD Funerals

2009-04-07T15:17:00.003-04:00

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Two Members of the South Bend Police Honor Guard will be traveling to Pittsburgh, PA. to attend the funerals of the three officers killed on April 4, 2009.

SBPD officers Geoffrey Forizs and Eugene Eyster, who will be accompanied by two members of the Mishawaka Police Honor Guard, Officers Mark Fedder and Matt Smith, will be leaving tomorrow, April 8, and will participate in the public services for the officers on Thursday, April 9.

The SBPD honor guard, in collaboration with FOP Lodge #36, is partially supported through funds that are privately donated to an FOP #36 account to support travel and supplies for attendance at such ceremonies.