NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – On Friday, October 13, 2017 around 8:05 am, North Manchester Police Chief Jim Kirk noticed a vehicle northbound on Wabash Road with a piece of metal trim sticking out about 2 feet on the passenger side. Chief Kirk initiated a traffic stop in the 1200 block of SR 114W with Officer Parker Stouffer assisting. All occupants were questioned on their identity. Shanda M. Spacy, 26, North Manchester gave officers a false name. After proper identity was made it was discovered Spacy was wanted on warrants out of Wabash and Fulton Counties for drug related charges. At this time Sgt. Nate Birch and his K9 partner Strider were called in. Sgt. Birch did receive a positive alert from Strider. Spacy was arrested on warrants for petition to revoke electronic home detention, illegal possession of a syringe, petition to revoke probation and maintaining a common nuisance. Spacy was also charged with false informing and possession of paraphernalia.
Saturday morning at 12:00am Officer Devin Bechtold attempted to stop a vehicle for having no tail lights on SR 13 at 1100N. The driver of the vehicle continued southbound on SR 13 turning west onto 1050N stopping approximately 1/2 miles west 13. Officer Bechtold approached the vehicle identifying the driver and passenger. The driver then fled the scene driving through corn fields. A search warrant was obtained and executed on a local residence and the vehicle. Items were recovered from recent burglaries that have occurred in the area. Charges will be sent to the Wabash County Prosecutor for review.
On Sunday, October 15, 2017 around 6:04 pm North Manchester Police Dispatch received a call of a hit and run accident in the 600 block of E. 5th. Officer Devin Bechtold responded to the call. After the initial report was taken Officer Bechtold advised Dispatch and Officer Parker Stouffer the suspect vehicle was a green mustang with front end damage being driven by a black male. Bechtol was able to get behind the vehicle on Wayne Street. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop when Bechtold activated his red and blue lights. The driver, (later identified as Charles D. Lockett, 21, South Bend) turned north on SR 13 and started throwing items out of the vehicle. Officers Bechtol and Parker Stouffer followed Lockett north on 13 to Liberty Mills where he turned east on 1425 N. Lockett then lead officers on a pursuit through Liberty Mills, then south to the Servia area and back into North Manchester. On 114 near River Road Lockett exited the vehicle and took off on foot. In the 100 block of S. River Road Officer Bechtold saw the suspect throw a black handgun and a phone tablet into the fence line. Lockett proceeded into the Eel River. He was followed by Officers Bechtold and Stouffer. Officer Bechtold lost sight of the suspect on Wayne near 2nd street. Officer Isaac Adams went to 3rd street to set up a perimeter until the arrival of Sgt. Nate Birch and K9 partner Strider. At this point Sgt. Brch, K9 Strider and Officer Adams placed Lockett into custody. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle Lockett was driving. A loaded assault rifle with two loaded magazines was found in the vehicle. Sgt. Greg Tomlinson searched the area where items were thrown from the vehicle. He located drug items. Lockett is being charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle, resisting law enforcement foot, carrying a handgun without a permit, theft – receiving stolen property, criminal recklessness, maintaining a common nuisance, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, leaving the scene of an unattended vehicle accident, operating a vehicle while never receiving an operator’s license, reckless driving, possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine. Also assisting was Chief Jim Kirk and Wabash County Sheriff’s Department.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation. Every defendant is innocent until proven guilty.