While there was a mass exodus of IU students headed home for break this December, Bloomington continued to function — as did the Bloomington Police Department.
A total of 218 arrests were reported in Monroe County between Dec. 17 and Jan. 3. The highest number of arrests in one day was 20 and the lowest was four. The majority of these arrests involved nonviolent crime.
Arrests in former IU School of Medicine Director case
Additionally, two teens, ages 18 and 15, were charged Dec. 14 in connection with the murder of the former director of the IU School of Medicine, Dr. Kevin Rodgers, in Indianapolis.
Rodgers, 62, died Nov. 20 from gunshot wounds after an apparent attempted robbery at his home, according to a Facebook post from Cathedral High School where he was an assistant lacrosse coach.
Mall Santa visit gone wrong
A mall Santa was accused of spanking a child with special needs at College Mall. The 5-year-old was with a caretaker at the time, but his mother called the Bloomington Police Department to report the incident.
The mother, Bloomington resident Jessica Chandler, later told police she may have overreacted. The boy’s caretaker compared the interaction to a grandfather playing with his grandchild.
The Santa was suspended for the rest of the holiday season and may be seeking legal action according to his lawyer, Jeremy Schnepper of Evansville-based Schnepper Law. No one at the law firm could be reached for comment.
Man jumps to death after rape allegations
Craig Wade, 54, leapt from the IU Health-Bloomington Hospital parking garage in an apparent suicide Dec. 22 after being sought by police for alleged rape. A 20-year-old woman who lived in the same apartment complex as Wade reported him raping her Dec. 21.
Lt. John Kovach said police checked video surveillance from the garage and confirmed there was no foul play – Wade jumped on his own.
Holiday crime in numbers
There were 16 arrests for domestic battery in Monroe County over the break and eight for battery.
Operating while intoxicated was also a common crime, with 22 total arrests. There were seven arrests for public intoxication.
Marijuana possession was another frequent offense, with 12 related arrests – and just behind marijuana was methamphetamine. There were 11 methamphetamine-related arrests during the break.
And other notable crimes:
On Dec. 22, Nathan Scott, 24, was arrested for robbery, burglary, intimidation and kidnapping.
On Christmas, Dekota Collins, 20, was arrested for escaping police.
29-year-old Larry Hopkins' bond was set at $15,000 for criminal confinement, domestic battery, criminal recklessness and strangulation Dec. 31.
27-year-old Darius McCormick's bond was at $30,000 for robbery, kidnapping, burglary and intimidation Jan. 2.
