Vigo County—At approximately 9:45 last night, Indiana State Police Trooper Brian Thomas stopped a black Ford Bronco for failure to signal a turn near 6th and Willow Streets. During conversation with the driver, Thomas detected the odor of what appeared to be burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.
ISP K-9 Handler Trooper Mike Finney and “Boomer” arrived to assist and “Boomer” immediately gave a positive indication for drugs as he was led around the Bronco. A subsequent search of the Bronco revealed approximately nine grams of marijuana and a black Keltec 9 millimeter semi-auto handgun in a speaker compartment near the driver’s side rear seat.
As the driver, Anthony D. Mitchell, age 20, of Terre Haute, IN., was being placed into custody, Mitchell pushed Trooper Finney and attempted to flee on foot through an alley. Troopers quickly caught and subdued Mitchell and transported him to the Vigo County Jail. Mitchell failed field sobriety tests and refused a chemical test for intoxication. Trooper Thomas preliminarily charged Mitchell with Battery on Law Enforcement, Dealing Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Handgun without a Permit, Operating While Intoxicated (Prior conviction), Operating While Intoxicated (Refusal), Minor Possession of Alcohol, and Open Alcohol Container.
Further search of the vehicle yielded another Keltec 9 millimeter semi-auto handgun in the same speaker compartment, a set of digital scales, a partially consumed bottle of Vodka and additional loose marijuana plant material in the front seat area.
Troopers Don Curtis and Tim Rader assisted at the scene.
“Boomer” and Trooper Mike Finney graduated last week from the ISP K-9 Academy. Last night’s detection came in the first hour of “Boomer’s” shift working the road with Finney. “Boomer” is a 14-month-old German Shepherd imported from the country of Poland and is a full service police dog.
I have no pictures available.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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