On Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at 6:57am, Martin County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Reed was on patrol in Loogootee when he observed a vehicle commit a moving violation. Corporal Reed initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on West Broadway Street and requested Loogootee Police Chief Kelly Rayhill to assist. The driver was identified as Candida M. Richie. Corporal Reed then utilized his narcotics-certified K9 Virka for a free air sniff of the exterior the vehicle. K9 Virka gave a positive indication for the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle resulted in Corporal Reed locating methamphetamine and paraphernalia. ISP Trooper Andrew Beaver and ISP Trooper Jarrod Lents also arrived to assist. Ms. Richie was placed under arrest and transported to the Martin County Security Center.
Candida M. Richie, 37, Vincennes, IN
1) Possession of Methamphetamine
2) Possession of Paraphernalia
Later on Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 12:50am, Martin County Sheriff’s Office Corporal Tyler Reed and Deputy Larry Gibson were on patrol in Loogootee. Corporal Reed was on foot patrol when he observed a vehicle commit a moving violation and notified Deputy Gibson. The vehicle committed a second moving violation observed by both Corporal Reed and Deputy Gibson. Deputy Gibson initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on Ackerman Drive. Corporal Reed arrived to assist. The driver was identified as Abraham Wittmer. During the traffic stop, Mr. Wittmer appeared extremely nervous when speaking with officers and repeatedly put his hands in his pockets after being told several times not to do so. Mr. Wittmer was found to have a suspended driver’s license with a prior conviction. Corporal Reed asked Mr. Wittmer to exit the vehicle and he complied. Mr. Wittmer again put his hands in his pockets and Corporal Reed advised him to stop. Corporal Reed then performed a pat down for officer safety purposes due to Mr. Wittmer’s behavior. Corporal Reed felt a hard object in Mr. Wittmer’s pocket and removed the object. The object was revealed to be a glass smoking device containing residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Mr. Wittmer was handcuffed and then searched by Deputy Gibson. A search of Mr. Wittmer’s person resulted in Deputy Gibson locating a plastic bag containing a white crystal substance and several pills. The white crystal substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and the pills were identified as a controlled substance. Corporal Reed utilized his narcotics-certified K9 Virka for a free air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. K9 Virka gave a positive a positive indication for the odor of narcotics. Mr. Wittmer was transported to the Martin County Security Center. The white crystal substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine weighed over five (5) grams.
Abraham Wittmer, 42, Loogootee, IN
1) Possession of Methamphetamine – 5 grams – Level 5 Felony
2) Possession of a Controlled Substance – Class A misdemeanor
3) Driving While Suspended (Prior) – Class A misdemeanor
4) Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C misdemeanor
