South Bend Police Department Press Release

Have you ever wondered……..

…Can police really do the cool stuff I see on T.V.?

…What do I do if I am a victim of a crime?

how are they examined?

...What programs does the Police Department offer to the public?

If you would like answers to these questions or others like them, then the Citizen’s Police Academy may be for you!

The Citizen’s Police Academy was established to promote an understanding of the South Bend Police Department and its policies and procedures. In addition, the academy provides training in all aspects of law enforcement and the issues that face police officers on a daily basis. Our Academy goal is to foster a spirit of cooperation between the city, its citizens and their Police Department. It is hoped that graduates will get to know more about the men and women who are protecting their community and why they make the decisions they do while performing their duty.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a 13 week program held September 16^th, 2008 till December 9^th, 2008. The classes are held on Tuesday nights from 6pm-8:30pm. Class size is limited to 40 participants, and is free of charge. Some of the general topics discussed are:

• Hands on demonstrations from K-9, SWAT and the Bomb Disposal Unit
• Crime Scene Processing ( Learn to dust for fingerprints)
• High Tech Crimes Unit will discuss child dangers of the internet & computer & Technology crime overview
• Shoot, Don’t Shoot simulator (F.A.T.S. simulator)
• Crime Prevention (Identity theft, Personal Safety, Home Safety)
• Narcotics Enforcement
• Patrol Operations
• Communications
• Jail Operation ( Both the County Jail and Juvenile Justice Center)

Potential candidates for the Citizens Police Academy must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum age of 18 years old
• No prior felony convictions (Certain Misd. offenses may disqualify you also)
• Subject to criminal history check

You may obtain an application in the lobby of the Police Department, or download an application by visiting the South Bend Police Department web page at www.southbendpolice.com For further information please contact the Academy coordinators, Cpl. Aaron Cassel (574) 235-9401 or Lt. Richard Powers (574)235-9402.

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On 06/29/08 at approximately 2:40 PM, a 31 year old female employee of the BP Oil Company, located at 3627 E. McKinley Ave. in South Bend was struck by a vehicle that was fleeing the area after stealing $30.00 worth of gasoline.

The SBPD is asking for assistance in identifying the suspect. An image of both the suspect and wanted vehicle are attached.

Suspect: Female, African American, Approx.. 25-30 years of age; 5'-07"; 130#. Wearing blue shorts and top with a red purse.

Vehicle: Older, 4-D Mid-size passenger car, Navy Blue in color, with a luggage rack on the trunk and missing hubcaps on at least the right side.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers or the South Bend Police Department at 574.235.9201.

Labels: Motor vehicle Assault

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The below listed person is being sought by the SBPD in connection with the robbery of the First Source Bank branch at 2323 S. Michigan St., on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. The subject should also be considered a suspect in at least 5 other robberies committed on the same day.

At this time, the SBPD would like to speak to this individual and no warrant exists. If anyone knows the whereabouts of this individual they are asked to call Crime Stoppers or the South Bend Police Department at 574-235-9361.

The suspect in this case is one:

Roosevelt L. Taylor. Male Black, age 34
5'11"; 215#; black hair/brown eyes.

The individual that committed the robberies indicated that he had a weapon. If the suspect is spotted call local police. Do not attempt to apprehend or pursue him.

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CAPTURED !!!! ARRESTED ON 06/20/08

Please help identify the suspect in this robbery. The robbery was to Horizon Bank 233S. Main St. yesterday, June 15, 2008. Description was: male black mid 40's 5'10"-6" stocky build, medium complexion with round face, thin mustache, Notre Dame blue baseball cap with gold bill, white baseball jersey with red and blue trim possible "Philly"s" on back.

Any one with information on this man's identity is asked to call the SBPD at 574.235.9263 or Crime Stoppers at 574.288.STOP.

Labels: Identify, Robbery, Suspect

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10 Million Reasons to Support Crime Stoppers – Shredding Identity Theft
Mayor Luecke and Mayor Rea jointly proclaim Crime Stoppers Identity Theft week.

Up to 10 million people become victims of identity theft each year, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your name, social security number, credit card account or other personal information to commit a crime. On May 12th, Mayor Stephen Luecke and Mayor Jeff Rea jointly proclaimed this week to be Crime Stoppers Identity Theft Awareness Week. The purpose of the Mayors proclamation is to raise awareness and educate the citizens of Michiana on how to deter thieves, detect suspicious activity, and defend themselves against identity theft.

On Friday May 16th at 6:00 p.m., the South Bend Police Department and Crime Stoppers will host a free seminar on Identity Theft Protection. Sgt. Dominic Zultanski will discuss schemes and scams that have been active in and around our area as well as answer your questions on specific issues that effect you in regards to identity theft / fraud prevention and recovery. Several other area, state and federal agency representatives have participated (in putting this night together) and will be either on hand and available for your questions and offer their assistance or have resources available.

On Saturday May 17th, in an effort to help you take the first steps toward protecting your identity, South Bend Area Crime Stoppers is partnering with Enviro-Shred to hold a community shredding day. You can take advantage of this opportunity to begin protecting yourself and support Crime Stoppers. Enviro-Shred will destroy your documents for a small tax-deductible to Crime Stoppers. All proceeds will go toward the Crime Stoppers reward fund. Bring your old documents to Martins Supermarkets at Heritage Square in Granger, or Erskine Plaza in South Bend from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine.

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The South Bend Police Department Honor Guard has been selected to be one of six official Color Guards at the National Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Washington D.C., on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

Fourteen Honor Guard members from our department will travel to Washington and play prominent rolls in various Police Week ceremonies, most notably, the Color Guard for the Candlelight Vigil. The Color Guard honors (of which 400 national and international departments vied for selection) will be shared by the following agencies:

San Antonio, Texas Police Department
Puerto Rico Police Department
Aurora, Colorado Police Department
Cleveland Heights, Ohio Police Department
United State Border Patrol - Texas District, and
South Bend, Indiana Police Department

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The SBPD in collaboration with Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #36 will be holding it's annual ceremony to remember its fallen officers at the South Bend Police Department Headquarters on Friday, May 9th. 2008 at 9:00 PM.

The ceremony will last approximately one-half hour. It is the first time the ceremony will have been held in the evening. The public is invited to attend. This service preceeds the national observance of Law Enforcement Week, which culminates with services in Washington D.C. This year a contingent of SBPD officers and family will be on hand in Washington as Cpl. Nick Polizzotto's name is added to the Fallen Officers Memorial.

Please join us this Friday.

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The SBPD announces that Indiana vehicular accident reports are now available on-line at www.BuyCrash.com

Although crash reports will still be available by visiting the South Bend Police Department Records counter, those who would like to instantly purchase reports on-line and print them immediately can do so from the location of their choice.

At the scene of an accident, our officers will now be instructing the participants of this feature as well.

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At approximately 11:15 AM, on this date, the SBPD received a report of a bank robbery at the MFB Branch located in the 700 block of East Ireland Rd..

Officers arrived and found witnesses who stated a lone suspect entered the bank armed with a gun and wearing a ski mask. He then demanded money. After securing a sum of currency, the suspect ran to an awaiting vehicle and was last seen westbound on Ireland Rd.

There was no one injured in the robbery.

The suspect is described as: Male, Black, approximately 35 years of age.
6'-01" to 6'-04; 250#, with a shaved head. He was wearing all black and
was armed with a black handgun. He fled to a vehicle being driven by a Female, Black.
The vehicle is described as a green passenger car in poor condition with rust. The vehicle
had to be re-started several times and it is possibly in poor running order as well.

Anyone with information concerning this robbery is asked to call the South Bend Police Department at 574-235-9201 or Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP

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The SBPD would like to invite all members of the media and community to join us to celebrate the
6th. Annual SBPD Awards Ceremony to be held at
Ivy Tech State College on Sunday, April 6, 2008 at 4:00 PM.

The program lasts approximately one-hour and refreshments will follow.

Please consider attending this event as it recognizes the good work performed in the community by officers and civilians alike. Awarded at this ceremony will be the 2007 Officer of the Year Honor.

Thanks, and we hope to see you at Ivy Tech on Sunday.