Arrest photo of Jessica Willis, 23, of Peru

Peru, IN – Jessica Willis, 23 of Peru is facing a charge of Habitual Traffic Violator after her arrest on Saturday, April 20, 2019, at approximately 1:20 a.m.

According to an Indiana State Police Report of Arrest, Ms. Willis was observed driving a blue 2000 Jeep Wrangler at the intersection of Main Street and Miami Street by Indiana State Trooper Andrew Baldwin.

Trooper Baldwin utilized his in-car computer and conducted a BMV check on the Jeep and it returned to Ms. Willis whose driving status was listed as Habitual Traffic Violator.

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The following were arrests made by Miami County Law Enforcement. Individuals named in this report are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Arrest photo of John F. Wilson, 52 of Peru

Peru, IN – John Wilson, 52 of Peru is facing charges of Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia after a traffic stop that took place at Van Buren Avenue and Smith Street on April 15, 2019, at 6:39 p.m.

According to a PPD probable cause affidavit, Officer Brok Westfall conducted the traffic stop on a green SUV after it failed to come to a complete stop at the intersection of Lindy St. and Van Buren Ave.

The vehicle then turned onto Van Buren. The male passenger, identified as John F. Wilson, 52 of Peru looked at Officer Westfall and waived. The vehicle then disregarded another stop sign at Van Buren Avenue and Smith Streets.

Officer Westfall then activated his emergency lights and conducted the traffic stop.

The driver, whose name was redacted from the report by the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office, advised Officer Westfall that his brakes did not work well and that he had to pump them to get them to work.

Officer Westfall then noted that the passenger, Mr. Wilson was visibly trembling and had labored breathing. He was also staring blankly straight ahead and would not make eye contact with Officer Westfall.

Arrest photo of Abraham Cardenas, 19, of Peru

Peru, IN – Peru Police Officers responding to a report of a fight in progress at Arrowhead Estates, arrested a nineteen-year-old on Sunday, April 14, 2019, at approximately 2:45 a.m. Abraham Cardenas faces charges of Battery on Public Safety Officer, a level 6 felony, Resisting Law Enforcement, a class A misdemeanor, Public Intoxication, a class B misdemeanor and Minor Consumption of Alcohol, a class C misdemeanor.

According to his probable cause affidavit, PPD Officer Keith Smith was the first officer to arrive on scene followed immediately by PPD Sergeant Vinapal.

Upon approaching the scene, Officer Smith observed one male enter a black SUV and a shirtless male standing outside the vehicle throwing his arms up in the air in a provocative manner as if to encourage the male in the vehicle to fight him.

Officer Smith walked around the front of his vehicle in an attempt to get the license plate of the SUV for Central Dispatch. As he was doing so, the shirtless male, later identified as nineteen-year-old Abraham Cardenas, of Peru ran towards him with his arms still up.

Mr. Cardenas yelled something unintelligible and then quickly and forcefully shoved Officer Smith in the chest with his right arm.

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Peru, IN – The Peru Board of Public Works and Safety met in regular session on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, in the City Council Chambers of the Peru City Building.

During this meeting, the Board of Works approved a Police escort from Miami’s Fort to Broadway to 24 East to 19 N. at 12 Noon on April 20, 2019, for a Cancer Ride. Thomas Hiles is conducting the benefit for Thomas Kelsor, Jr. who has Liver and Lung Cancer. The event will include a motorcycle ride, live DJ, Silent Auction and Raffles. There will also be a free will donation lunch of Pulled Pork, BBQ, Chicken, Pork Butt, Baked Beans, Salads and Desserts.

Arrest photo of Henry Sevilla, 27, of South Bend, IN

Miami County, IN – A South Bend man is facing charges of Operating While Intoxicated-Refusal, Reckless Driving and Possession of Cocaine after a being stopped for driving 106 miles per hour on US Route 31 at CR 550 N. in Miami County on April 13, 2019, at approximately 6:50 p.m.

According to an Indiana State Police Report of Arrest, ISP Trooper Andrew C. Baldwin of the Peru Post was patrolling northbound on US 31 at 550 North in Miami County when he observed a silver Ford Focus passenger car in the passing lane of Southbound US Route 31 at a high rate of speed.

Trooper Baldwin utilized his front facing radar which gave a reading of 106 miles per hour in a 60 mile per hour zone. The rear-facing radar gave a reading of 104 miles per hour.

Trooper Baldwin entered the crossover and gave chase to the Ford catching the vehicle on US Route 31 at CR 300 N. and conducting a traffic stop.

Arrest photos of Troy Sowell, 42 of Kokomo and Markeysha Spells, 31, Homeless

Peru, IN – Peru Police Officers conducting a welfare check on a two-month-old baby led to the arrest of a man and woman on drug charges on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at approximately 10:23 p.m.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Peru Police Officer Brok Westfall was assisting Officer Russ Tussey on a welfare check of a two-month-old baby. That investigation led them to an address that the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office redacted from the report. Once at that address, Officers detected the odor of marijuana.

Officers advised the homeowner that they were looking for a subject whose name was redacted from the report by the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office, to ask her questions about her child. The homeowner advised the subject was present at the residence.

While Officer Tussy continued his investigation into the child’s welfare, and before Officer Westfall asked the subjects about the marijuana odor, one of the subjects exited the living room and entered a bedroom before Officer Westfall could stop her. After several seconds, she returned to the living room. The subject was then advised to stay in the living room. The subject then advised that she was checking on her guests in her bedroom.

Arrest photos of Giamone Locke, 35, of Kokomo and Jacob Aulds, 34, of Peru

Peru, IN – A traffic stop for failure to stop for a stop sign ended in the arrest of two men on drug charges on Wednesday, April 10, 2019, at approximately 2:13 a.m.

According to a PPD probable cause affidavit, the traffic stop took place when PPD Officer Wyrick observed a red Chevrolet passenger vehicle fail to stop for the stop sign at the intersection of 9th and Tippecanoe Streets. Officer Wyrick then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle just west of Wayne Street on 9th.

While approaching the vehicle, Officer Wyrick observed the male driver, later identified as Giamone Locke, 35 of Kokomo, IN moving around in his seat. Officer Wyrick then requested PPD Officer Brindle to be en-route to assist with the stop.

A passenger in the vehicle verbally identified himself as Jacob Aulds, 34, of Peru.