By Meladi Brewer
DailyAdvocate.com
Aug. 23
VEHICLE THEFT: At 7:25 p.m. officers responded to the 1500 block of Wagner Avenue in reference to a complaint of a possible stolen motorcycle. While heading to the listed location, officers were able to hear radio traffic in reference to a motorcycle that was being chased by a blue Ford Fusion. It was advised the motorcycle had been involved in an earlier traffic stop, and the operator of the motorcycle was the complainant in this theft report. It was also advised the occupants of the Ford Fusion were shooting at the operator of the motorcycle. All available GPD units started towards that call due to the involved Ford had taken off from the scene and Darke County Deputies were in pursuit of the vehicle. Officers also went to the listed address to interview the victims. The male complainant stated he was currently armed, and he had met an unknown male subject on Facebook Marketplace in an attempt to sell the motorcycle when the unknown male asked if he could test ride the bike. The victim declined due to the unknown male not wanting to give him any cash to hold while he test road it. The male, later identified as a man from Indiana , then got on the bike and drove off. The victim’s friend then began to chase the motorcycle in his Ford. Two independent witnesses were also questioned. Their events lined up with the victim’s. The victim declined wanting to pursue charges. After further investigation, it was found that the complainant had attempted to purchase the listed bike. There was cash exchanged between parties at the time of the initial sale approximately five to six weeks prior for a total of $2,500. The complainant then failed to make those payments. The Indiana male and one of his friends devised a plan to get the bike back after viewing it on Facebook Marketplace. Winchester PD and Randolph County Sheriff’s Office both advised the Indiana male that this was a civil issue, and he needed to have law enforcement present when he attempted to take back possession of the listed motorcycle. The Indiana male failed to contact the Greenville PD in reference to keep the peace before the meeting took place in the public parking lot. Due to the complainant knowing the male, the friend met with the complainant to retrieve the bike. The friend said he jumped on the bike and took off throwing the complainant’s phone off the bike in the process. It was determined that due to the nature of the events and with money being exchanged for property with terms of a payment plan previously worked out that the issue of the ownership of the bike would be a civil matter. Darke County Sheriff Office currently has possession of the bike and title.
Aug. 25
DRUGS: At 2:54 p.m. officers observed a black Chrysler Pacifica minivan bearing Indiana registration missing a headlight, traveling east on East Fourth Street. A traffic stop was initiated, and upon coming to a stop, the male driver immediately put both his hands out the window to make them visible. He began asking if he could move the vehicle up one more block to where his girlfriend lives. Officers advised the driver that he could not move the vehicle at this time, and he stated “I’m just going right up here. My headlight is out. I hit a deer. I’m just going right up here.” The driver seemed nervous, could not sit still and was talking fast. It was also observed that his face had extensive scabbing. The driver said that he was coming from Indiana and hit a deer somewhere on State Route 32. He denied drugs being in the car, and when asked for his ID, he stated he did not have his ID or wallet with him. He identified himself as Jesse Rhoades and provided an invalid social security number. Due to the false information and erratic behavior, officers requested a K9 partner come to the scene. A white bag was also observed under the driver’s seat by his feet. Officers asked for consent to search the vehicle, and the driver, who was cleaning his hands with an alcohol wipe, became visibly anxious and hesitant. Officers questioned what was in the bag, and he grabbed it and began opening it. He advised that the bag is just for his charging cords and began showing officers. A crystal smoking pipe with what appeared to be a burnt crystal substance was seen inside. Upon the driver also observing this, he quickly began to shut the bad. At that time, officers reached inside the vehicle in reference to a probable cause search of the vehicle. The driver stated, “there’s no pipe in there, sir. I promise you. That’s not mine, sir.” Officers told him to step out of the vehicle. In the vehicle, officers located a wallet on the center console belonging to Jesse Hernandez. The name came back with two active warrants for a misdemeanor bench warrant for failure to appear on the original charge of a traffic offense with a $575 bond, and a felony warrant for dangerous drugs and aggravated possession with no bond. He was arrested, and the vehicle was searched. In it was a plastic baggie with a white powdery substance, a bag with miscellaneous medical items: a gallon size zip-lock plastic bag containing a large digital scale, a small metal bowl, multiple small plastic baggies, and a mall baggie with a white unmarked pill with white powdery substance. White residue was visible on all items contained in this gallon bag. A fictitious $100 bill was also located. The vehicle was towed, and Hernandez was brought to the jail.
To contact Daily Advocate Reporter Meladi Brewer, email [email protected]
