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(10/01/07 2:03am)
The Bloomington Police Department has arrested two suspects in a robbery that took place Wednesday.\nAntwaine L. Edmonson, 23 and Willie B. Harris, 18, each face a preliminary charge of armed robbery. Police say Edmonson admitted involvement in the crime Thursday, and Harris turned himself in to police the following day.\nOn Wednesday, a 21-year-old Bloomington resident reported to BPD that he was at home with his family when Edmonson and Harris came to his door and asked to use the bathroom and the phone, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said. \nHarris then allegedly put the phone in his pocket, pulled out a gun and robbed the victim.\nEdmonson and Harris fled the scene in a white car and with an undisclosed amount of money, Canada said. Authorities believe the driver of the vehicle was a white female.\nAfter the robbery, Det. Kevin Hill received information that Edmonson goes by the name “Twan G” and was able to obtain a phone number for him. Hill interviewed Edmonson on Thursday, and police say he admitted to being involved in the robbery. Harris turned himself in Friday morning.\nEdmonson and Harris were transported to the Monroe County Jail and are each being held on a $20,000 surety bond and \n$500 cash.\nOfficers are still looking for the driver of the white vehicle. Hill is investigating the robbery and believes others were involved with crime, Canada said.
(09/30/07 8:15pm)
The “suspicious” death of an IU student who was found dead early Thursday morning is being investigated by the Bloomington Police Department and the Monroe County Coroner’s Office. \nJunior Jeremy Kritzman, 21, was found dead in his apartment, located in the 200 block of North Walnut Street, after BPD responded to an emergency call at about 1 a.m. Thursday, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report. Kritzman’s friends pried open his apartment door after they had not heard from him in a couple of days, Canada said.\nWhen officers located Kritzman, he appeared to have been dead for several hours, Canada said. After investigating, officers located “a little bit of white residue” in Kritzman’s apartment that was sent to a lab for analysis, Canada said.\nMonroe County Coroner David Toumey said Kritzman had “probably been dead for some hours” by the time officers found him in his apartment.\n“It’s an obviously suspicious death,” Toumey said. “I don’t think it’s a natural death.”\nThe Terre Haute Regional Hospital will perform an autopsy Friday morning, Toumey said. The toxicology reports will not be available for another four to six weeks, he said.
(09/28/07 3:06am)
The Bloomington Police Department is investigating a robbery involving a handgun Wednesday night.\nThe 21-year-old victim was at his home with his family when two men came to his door, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report. One of the men asked the victim to use his bathroom while the other male asked to used the phone, Canada said.\nThe second men then pulled out a gun and asked the victim for his money, Canada said. Both suspects fled the scene in a white vehicle with an unknown driver described as a white male.\nThe suspects were described as two black males. One of the suspects was described as having a dark complexion, between the ages of 18 to 25, and about five feet and six inches tall.\nBPD encourages anyone with information to call 349-4477.
(09/27/07 7:44pm)
An IU student died early Thursday morning after friends found him unresponsive in his apartment.\nJunior Jeremy Kritzman, 21, was found dead in his apartment after the Bloomington Police Department responded to an emergency call at approximately 1 a.m. Thursday morning, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.\nWhen officers located Kritzman, he appeared to have been dead for several hours. According to the police report, Kritzman’s friends pryed open his apartment door after they had not heard from him in a couple of days.\nCanada said officers located “a little bit of white residue” in his apartment that was sent to a lab for analysis.\nBPD has turned over the investigation to the Monroe County Coroner’s office. Kritzman’s cause of death is still undetermined.
(09/26/07 1:24am)
A Bloomington man was arrested Monday night for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Peoples Park.\nPeter Torgersen, 38, faces preliminary charges of battery on a police officer, public intoxication and resisting law enforcement.\nBloomington Police Department Officer Shane Rasche was on patrol Monday night when he spotted Torgersen drinking a bottle of beer, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report. \nRasche got out of his car and approached Torgersen. While Rasche was talking on his radio, Torgersen pushed him against his car and ran off behind Nick’s English Hut, Canada said, reading from the police report.\nTorgersen was taken into custody and transported to the Monroe County Jail.
(09/25/07 3:01am)
A Bloomington man allegedly connected to a stabbing was arrested Sunday night.\nDavid Wiles, 19, was arrested by Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Scott Oldham after police say he fled from the scene of the stabbing with \nthe suspect. \nWiles faces preliminary charges of illegal alcohol consumption.\nBPD is currently looking for the suspect who allegedly stabbed the victim.\nBPD responded to a call at approximately 1:45 a.m. Monday at the corner of Hunter Avenue and Highland Avenue regarding a possible stabbing, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.\nWhen officers arrived, the victim stated that he was arguing with an unidentified man when the suspect became involved. \nThe suspect retrieved a knife from a white Honda and slashed the victim on his left side and finger, Canada said. \nWiles, the driver of the white Honda, drove away with the suspect in the passenger seat.\nOldham located Wiles’ vehicle and took him into custody for illegal alcohol consumption. \nOldham was unable to locate the suspect.
(09/21/07 3:34am)
After three months of investigation, the owner of “Balloons over Bloomington” turned himself into authorities Wednesday for cheating 24 customers out of rides.\nKevin DeVoe, 51, faces three preliminary counts of theft.\nAccording to a statement released by the Bloomington Police Department in June, officers were investigating a complaint from an out-of-town couple concerning a hot air balloon ride they paid for but never received.\nThe couple purchased a $300 certificate from “Balloons over Bloomington” in April 2006, but DeVoe canceled their ride. They rescheduled in May 2006, but their appointment was canceled again. DeVoe told the couple their ride would be rescheduled for 2007, but when the couple tried to contact him, the company’s phone was disconnected.\nDuring the investigation by BPD Det. Richard Hunter, DeVoe attempted to sell his hot air balloon on eBay. Whether or not he actually sold the balloon is unknown, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said.\nDeVoe is currently at the Monroe County Jail and is being held on a $5,000 surety bond and $7,500 cash.
(09/20/07 4:07am)
Friday was not the first time Pelfree has dealt with law enforcement.\nThe FBI arrested Pelfree for conspiracy or intent to distribute methamphetamine in 1992, after indicting several other members involved in running a Bloomington methamphetamine lab.\nAccording to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in 1991 the FBI investigated Pelfree and 13 others for involvement in the methamphetamine lab. The lab ran from November 1990 until March 1991 and produced about 110 kilograms (22 pounds) of methamphetamine, according to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana.\nPelfree was “continuously in and out” of the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex from March 1992 until he was released in January 2003, said a representative of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
(09/20/07 4:03am)
The Monroe County man accused of murdering two men in late March is pleading not guilty.\nAuthorities arrested Jerry E. Pelfree, 51, after receiving a tip about two bodies located in steel drums on Pelfree’s property in the 6000 block of West Ison Road. \nAccording to the Monroe County Circuit Court, Judge Marc Kellems entered Pelfree into a preliminary plea of not guilty Tuesday afternoon. Pelfree’s pre-trial conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. Nov. 13. Monroe County Attorney Ron Chapman, who could not be reached for comment by press time, will be representing Pelfree. \nPolice discovered the bodies after receiving a tip from an informant, Troy D. Harden, 37, who has been incarcerated in Monroe County Jail since June 21 for various charges, including battery of a police officer and possession of cocaine. Harden told authorities he was present at the time of the murders, according to the probable cause affidavit filed Sept 17. \nThe bodies were identified earlier this week as Douglas A. Brown, 23, and Everett L. Shaw. 34. Both died from gunshot wounds to the head.\nBoth Brown and Shaw had previously served time in Monroe \nCounty Jail. Shaw was last booked into the Monroe County Jail in 1999 for public intoxication. Brown was arrested in 2006 for driving with a suspended license and failure to appear.\nMonroe County Sheriff Jim Kennedy said he didn’t know if anybody else would be charged in connection to this case. He said if anyone else was charged, it would not happen until after the trial begins.\nHarden told authorities that he was with Pelfree, Brown and Shaw when they acquired a stolen all-terrain vehicle they intended to exchange for drugs. Brown had previously been in a relationship with Pelfree’s daughter, Michelle Ritter, and threatened to kill her after they broke-up, according to the affidavit.\nAuthorities believe Pelfree shot Brown and Shaw in the head with a .22 caliber rifle, according to the probable cause affidavit. Harden helped Pelfree move the victim’s bodies into the steel drums, according to the affidavit. Harden said Pelfree used a sledge hammer to break the bodies down so they would fit.\nSept. 14, officers received a search warrant for Pelfree’s and his daughter’s homes. They found the bodies in steel drums on Pelfree’s property. Authorities also recovered a .22 caliber rifle from Pelfree’s daughter’s home, located in the 800 block of Lemon Lane. \nThe bodies were transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for a medical examination.\nAfter Pelfree was taken into custody, he told the Monroe County Jail officer that he kills people when he gets angry.\nPelfree is currently being held without bond at the Monroe County Jail.
(09/19/07 4:56am)
Police uncovered more information this week relating to two bodies discovered at a Bloomington residence. \nThe remains of the two unidentified bodies found in steel drums over the weekend were identified Monday as Everett L. Shaw and Douglas A. Brown. Police believe the events surrounding their deaths stemmed from a dispute about a stolen all-terrain vehicle. \nJerry E. Pelfree, 51, was arrested Friday evening after the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Bloomington Police Critical Incident Response Team raided his property and found the remains of Shaw and Brown in 55- and 35-gallon steel drums. Both men died from gunshot wounds to the head March 27. Pelfree faces two preliminary counts of murder.\nMonroe County Sheriff Jim Kennedy said Brown and Shaw had arrest records.\nShaw, Brown, Pelfree and Troy Harden, who later became an informant, were involved in acquiring a stolen John Deere “Gator,” an all-terrain vehicle, in late March of this year, according to the probable cause affidavit filed Monday. The four men stayed at Pelfree’s residence in the 6000 block of West Ison Road for a few days after acquiring the Gator.\nHarden, who is currently an inmate at the Monroe County Jail, requested to get in touch with his uncle, Brown County Sheriff Robert “Buck” Stogsdill. Harden told Stogsdill about the murder. Stogsdill got in touch with the Bloomington Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. \nHarden told authorities Sept. 14 that Brown had been involved in a relationship with Pelfree’s daughter Michelle Ritter, and that Brown had threatened to kill her over their break-up, according to the affidavit. Harden described Brown as “volatile and a legitimate danger.”\nA few days after they obtained the stolen Gator, Shaw and Brown were working on repairing an automobile when Pelfree came out of his home with a .22 caliber rifle in his hand. Pelfree called Shaw and Brown over to him, and when they approached, Pelfree shot Shaw multiple times in the head, according to the affidavit. \nLater in the day, Harden entered Pelfree’s mobile home and noticed Brown slumped on the couch. He was dead when Harden and Pelfree entered the trailer. Pelfree directed Harden to assist him in moving the bodies. Harden told officers they attempted to put the bodies into steel drums, but they would not fit. Pelfree used a sledge hammer to break the bodies down so they would fit into the steel drums, according to the affidavit.\nBPD Capt. Joe Qualters said a possible motive for Pelfree was the threat to his daughter. Motives in Shaw’s death are unclear, but Qualters said it’s possible that Pelfree wanted to keep Shaw quiet.\nPelfree contacted Luke Jackson, his daughter’s current boyfriend. Jackson assisted Pelfree and Harden with moving the drums to the cargo area of a red box truck on the property, according to the affidavit. \nWhen interviewed on Sept. 14, Jackson told authorities he assisted Pelfree in removing the drum from the box truck. He told officers he did not know whether there were bodies inside of it, but the drum did have a bad odor. Pelfree told Jackson the steel drums contained a deer carcass, according to the affidavit. Jackson told officers the barrels were heavy and that they could not be far away from Pelfree’s home. Jackson told officers to look around the red truck.\nOn Sept. 14, officers received a search warrant for Pelfree’s home, as well as his daughter’s. The .22 caliber rifle was recovered from the daughter’s home, located in the 800 block of Lemon Lane.\nOfficers found Pelfree inside his home. When he declined to answer any questions, officers took him into custody. \nWhile searching the property, officers located two barrels wrapped in plastic under a pile of debris. Officers disassembled the debris pile and removed the plastic covering of the smaller barrel. Officers found what appeared to be a human skull with black hair and numerous bones, according to the affidavit.\nAfter being transported to the Monroe County Jail, Pelfree was questioned. The jail officer asked Pelfree, “What do you do when you get angry?” Pelfree responded, “I kill people.”\nThe skeletal remains of Shaw and Brown were transported to Dr. Roland Kohr, a forensic pathologist at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, for identification purposes. The bodies were identified by descriptions provided by family members.\nMonroe County Coroner David Toumey said definitive identification will take four to six weeks, pending verification of the victims’ DNA by the Indiana State Police’s Laboratory Division.\nKennedy said Harden would not be receiving any special treatment for the tip-off.\n“He’s an inmate, and that’s it,” he said.
(09/18/07 10:03pm)
Police uncovered more information this week relating to two bodies discovered on a Bloomington residence. \nAfter the remains of the two unidentified bodies found in steel drums over the weekend were identified Monday as Everett L. Shaw and Douglas A. Brown, police believe the incident stemmed from a stolen all-terrain vehicle. \nJerry E. Pelfree, 51, was arrested Friday evening after the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Bloomington Police Critical Incident Response Team raided his home property and found Shaw and Brown’s remains in 55- and 35-gallon steel drums. Both men died from gunshot wounds to the head this spring, March 27 Pelfree faces two preliminary counts of murder.\nMonroe County Sheriff Jim Kennedy said Brown and Shaw had arrest records.\nShaw, Brown, Pelfree and Troy Harden, who later became an informant, were involved in acquiring a stolen “gator,” an all-terrain vehicle, in late March of this year, according to the probable cause affidavit filed Monday. The four men stayed at Pelfree’s residence in the 6000 block of West Ison Road for a few days after acquiring the gator.\nHarden, who is currently an inmate at the Monroe County Jail, requested to get in touch with his uncle, Brown County Sheriff Buck Stogsdill. Harden told Stogsdill about the murder that occurred in late March. Stogsdill got in touch with the Bloomington Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. \nHarden told authorities Sept. 14 that Brown had been involved in a relationship with Pelfree’s daughter, Michelle Ritter, and recently threatened to kill her over their break-up, according to the affidavit. Harden described Brown as “volatile and a legitimate danger.” \nA few days after they obtained the stolen gator, Shaw and Harden were working on repairing an automobile when Pelfree came out of his home with a .22 caliber rifle in his hand. Pelfree called Shaw and Harden over to him and when they approached, Pelfree shot Shaw multiple times in the head, according to the affidavit. \nLater in the day, Harden entered Pelfree’s mobile home and noticed Brown slumped on the couch. He was dead when Harden and Pelfree entered the trailer. Pelfree directed Harden to assist him in moving the bodies. Harden told officers that they attempted to put the bodies into steel drums but they would not fit. Pelfree used a sledge hammer to break the bodies down so they would fit into the steel drums, according to the affidavit.\nBPD Capt. Joe Qualters said a possible motive for Brown’s was the threat to Pelfree’s daughter. Motives in Shaw’s death are unclear, he said. It’s possible that Pelfree wanted to keep Shaw quiet, Qualters said.\n- For more see Wednesday's Indiana Daily Student.
(09/18/07 3:45am)
The Bloomington Police Department is looking for a man who reportedly sexually battered a Bloomington woman early Sunday morning.\nA 22-year-old Bloomington woman reported to BPD that she was sexually battered on her way home from a bar, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report. The woman told officers she got separated from her friends at the bar and decided to leave.\nShe was walking to her car when she ran into “a friend of a friend” and began talking to him, Canada said. According to the police report, the woman and the suspect got into the car and began kissing. When the woman objected, the suspect continued to try and kiss her, Canada said. The woman told him no again and he groped her chest.\nThe suspect was described as a white male, approximately 5 feet, 10 inches with short, reddish-blonde hair. Anyone with information regarding the crime should call BPD at 349-4477.
(09/17/07 4:27am)
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department arrested a rural Monroe County man Friday evening for double homicide after authorities searched his property.\nJerry E. Pelfree, 51, faces a preliminary charge of murder after authorities found two decomposed bodies hidden in steel drums on his property.\nAn informant, whose identity was not released at press time, supplied information to the Brown County Sheriff’s Department about a possible murder that occurred last spring, according to a Monroe County Sheriff’s Department press release. After following up on the information provided by the informant, the Brown County Sheriff’s Department contacted the Bloomington Police Department for assistance. Once BPD learned the possible location for suspect activity was outside city limits, they contacted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department for help.\nThe Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office became involved in the investigation after obtaining more information about the alleged crime.\nSearch warrants were obtained for two locations in Monroe County, according to the press release. Authorities searched for human remains, weapons and illicit drugs. One of the locations is still an active crime scene, according to the press release.\nOn Friday evening, the search warrants were served with the assistance of the Bloomington Police Department’s Critical Incident Team.\nPolice discovered the remains of two men in 55- and 35-gallon drums at one of the locations on West Ison Road. Both of the containers were sealed with plastic and covered in debris, according to the press release.\nThe advanced stage of decomposition prevented positive identification at the time of recovery. An autopsy will be conducted today under the supervision of the Monroe County Coroner’s Office.\nAuthorities say they believe they know the identities of the bodies, but until the autopsy results come in, no further information will be available.\nPelfree was arrested at the scene, transported to the Monroe County Jail and is being held without bond. He will have a probable cause hearing today in the Monroe Circuit Court.
(09/17/07 2:27am)
The Indiana State Police Sellersburg District arrested a New Albany, Ind., woman Friday after they learned she was growing marijuana in a fenced area near her residence.\nKatherine A. Frazer, 44, faces preliminary charges of cultivating marijuana over 10 pounds, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, dealing in marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance, according to an Indiana State Police press release.\nThe Sellersburg Marijuana Eradication Team discovered a large outdoor marijuana operation Friday in the 500 block of Old Corydon Ridge Road in New Albany, Ind. Troopers were flown over the area in a helicopter to see the marijuana farm, according to the press release.\nUniformed officers obtained a search warrant, and when they arrived at the scene to secure the marijuana, they discovered approximately 47 dogs running loose on the property. Floyd County Animal Control was called to the residence and made arrangements for the animals’ care, according to the press release.\nAfter searching the residence, officers seized a total of 83 marijuana plants ranging in height from approximately four to eight feet tall. Police also confiscated plants drying on the porch and several bags of marijuana packaged in a manner consistent with future sale, according to the press release.\nThe estimated street value of the marijuana was approximately $100,000, according to the press release.
(09/17/07 2:08am)
The Bloomington Police Department arrested a 23-year-old woman Wednesday after police say she threatened to kill a Bloomington woman.\nRikki Robinson faces preliminary charges of intimidation.\nIn early August, Robinson’s dog attacked a Bloomington woman. The incident was reported to Animal Control, and on Aug. 28 there was a court hearing requesting the dog be euthanized. The victim testified in favor of euthanizing the animal, according to the probable cause affidavit.\nAt approximately 6:30 p.m. Aug 28, the victim who was bitten received a phone call from Robinson, who sounded very upset, according to the probable cause affadavit. Robinson told the victim she was going to kill her whole family, according to the document. Before Robinson hung up, she told the victim “How is that for putting dogs before people?”\nAccording to the affidavit, the victim told officers she believed Robinson was unstable. BPD requested extra patrol around the victim’s home in Nashville, Ind., and around her three children, who live in Bloomington.\nBPD Officer Tiffany Willingham made contact with Robinson in regards to the reported crime. Robinson admitted to Willingham that she was upset with the victim and called her to try and say something that would hurt her feelings, according to the affidavit. But Robinson denied making any direct threats toward the victim.\nRobinson was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Jail. She is being held on a $5,000 surety bond and $500 cash.
(09/14/07 3:35am)
The Bloomington Police Department is warning residents about a phone-sweepstakes scam.\nAn elderly woman received a phone call Tuesday telling her she had won an “extravagant amount of money,” BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.\nThe scammers called the woman again and told her she needed to withdraw and wire transfer money to them to cover fees and taxes, Canada said. The swindlers then called the woman again, telling her not to wire transfer the money. Instead, they said they were going to pick her up and take her to the bank.\nWhile on the phone, the con artists asked the elderly woman if she was alone or if there were any children in the house, Canada said. The woman told police the scammers told her to keep it a secret.\nCanada warned residents about two possible signs of a telephone scam: receiving a call about a reward when you haven’t entered a sweepstakes, and being asked for money after being told you’ve won. \n“Whatever they can make up to scam you, they will,” he said.\nCanada said anyone who received a similar phone call should contact BPD at 349-4477.\nAttempted burglar leaves crime scene with one shoe\nBPD is looking for the man who attempted to burglarize 17th Street Coin Laundry, located at 621 W. 17th St. \nOfficers were dispatched to the laundromat at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when the business’s burglar alarms sounded, Canada said.\n17th Street Coin Laundry houses washers and dryers in the front of the store and tanning beds in the back. At night, the washer and dryer area stays open while a steel gate barricades the tanning beds and management offices, Canada said. \nOn the surveillance tape, officers noticed the suspect climbing onto a soda machine in an attempt to crawl through the ceiling and over the gate, Canada said. While attempting to climb over the gate, the suspect set off the alarms.\nOfficers said the suspect on the tape left the laundromat with only one shoe. BPD found the shoe, a 6 1/2 Perry Ellis brand boot in the store and located the suspect’s other shoe west of the business, Canada said.\nAnyone with information about the suspect is asked to call BPD at 349-4477.
(09/13/07 4:00am)
Whether Angelina Jolie is fasting because Brad is still talking to Jennifer, or Britney Spears is drinking before the MTV Video Music Awards while K-Fed is at home with the kids, the lowdown on celebrities is constantly filling the grocery-store checkouts. The question is: Why are people buying into the hype?\nThat excitement of buying every magazine with Jennifer Aniston on the cover or the fantasies of being a cast member of "Grey's Anatomy" stems from the feeling of wanting to be looked up to, said Brenda Weber, IU gender-studies professor.\n"(Being famous is) a way of being in the world as truly happy and loved and successful," she said. "It seems to show what we desire."\nPsychologists interviewed for a WFIU Moment of Science Program said children are becoming celebrity obsessed at increasingly younger ages. According to the psychologists, some degree of celebrity worship is healthy though.\nAnd with reality TV, celebrity obsession is on the rise. Weber said the odds of getting famous with reality TV are better but still hard. \n"(Reality TV) is opening (fame) up for more people," she said. "(But) to see if that turns into lasting fame is an issue."\nWeber, who teaches a course about celebrity status, said that in the beginning of the semester, she administers a quiz to her students that questions the value of fame. She said 90 percent of her students wish they could be famous. She also asks her students, "Would you rather be famous for doing something or simply for who you are?" She said the class normally splits in half. And her final quiz question is, "Would you rather be famous after your death or in the here and now?" Students tend to feel shallow if they decide they want to be famous now, Weber said.\n"They begin to really question why (fame is) valuable," she said. "It goes back to that idea -- celebrities get to experience the best of everything there is."\nThe class transitions into learning about fame and it's relation to gender. Weber said because of the gender bias in our culture, gender plays a big role with fame.\n"Somebody like Joe Pesci could be really famous but a woman that looked like him couldn't," she said.\nBeing a male or female isn't the only bias in Hollywood. Having a little extra weight may also play a role in whether or not someone rises to fame. There is a lot of doublespeak with celebrities, she said. For example, in Hollywood, celebrities say they want to embrace their bodies for the way there are, but then lose 50 pounds, Weber said.\nAnd the journey to get famous doesn't stop with celebrities themselves.\nThe glory with picking up a magazine every time Lindsay Lohan gets arrested for being drunk isn't because our generation doesn't care about what's going on in the world, Weber said. It's because magazine articles offer us something different than hard news.\n"Personally we have to be skeptical. News is already skewed to tragedy," she said. "News is biased to a particular point of view."\nIn a society in which fame is prominent, celebrities need to question how much of their fame should be dedicated to their fans. If 14,000 people don't read about Angelina Jolie, chances are she isn't going to be famous, Weber said. Celebrities only become famous because a viewing public bought into it, she said.
(09/12/07 12:55pm)
A Bloomington man was arrested Monday night after police pursued his car in a chase.\nSamuel Moore, 33, faces preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement, possession of marijuana and two counts of dealing cocaine.\nBloomington Police Department Det. Bill Jeffers was working an ongoing drug investigation that began in 2006 when Moore became the prime suspect, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.\nThe police department had been trying to locate Moore for months when Jeffers noticed Moore’s vehicle in the 4100 block of Old Highway 37 North, Canada said. Officer Brandon Lopossa, who was driving a marked police car, attempted to pull Moore over at Speedway gas station, Canada said. When he told Moore to turn off his car, Moore fled north on Walnut Street. \nMoore continued driving north on State Road 37 and then cut the median and began driving back toward Walnut Street, Canada said. Officers set up a block before the College Avenue exit, but Moore pulled over before the exit, Canada said.\nPolice arrested and transported him to the Monroe County Jail.
(09/12/07 5:00am)
A Bloomington man was arrested Monday night after giving an 18-year-old woman eight- to nine-inch cut on her buttocks with a samurai sword.\nAshunti D. Taylor, 26, faces preliminary charges of battery with a deadly weapon.\nBloomington Police Department officers were dispatched at about 9:30 p.m. to the 1000 block of North Jackson Street in reference to a disturbance, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report. When officers arrived at the residence, they learned that the victim was being treated at the hospital for injuries that occurred during an argument, Canada said.\nOfficer Tiffany Willingham arrived at the hospital and learned the victim had given her dog to an unidentified woman that lived with Taylor, Canada said. The victim and a friend went to the residence to check up on the dog when Taylor became confrontational about the puppy. During Taylor’s conversation with the victim, the dog got excited and began jumping on the couch. Taylor grabbed the dog and threw it off the couch, Canada said.\nThe victim began arguing with Taylor about his treatment of the dog. Taylor continued yelling at the victim when she pushed him in order to escape, Canada said. Taylor slapped the victim in the mouth and the victim returned the slap with a punch, Canada said.\nTaylor left the room and came back with a black samurai sword in his hand, Canada said. Taylor swung the sword but missed the victim. As the victim was leaving the residence, Taylor swung the sword again, creating a cut on her buttocks that was eight to nine inches long and two inches wide, Canada said. \nTaylor admitted to officers that he “took a swipe at her,” Canada said. He was arrested and transported to the Monroe County Jail.
(09/11/07 4:54am)
Two Bloomington women reported that they were assaulted Saturday morning after asking residents to lower \ntheir music.\nVictoria Cornman and Steve Beadle, both 28, face preliminary charges of battery.\nThe Bloomington Police Department received a call at about 3 a.m. in reference to a disturbance on the 2300 block of South Rockport Road, BPD Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.\nWhen officers arrived at the scene, they learned Cornman and Beadle had been playing music from their car in the parking lot of an apartment complex, Canada said. The 21-year-old victim came outside and asked Cornman and Beadle to lower their music because her three children were sleeping inside the apartment, \nCanada said.\nCornman became irate and screamed at the victim before grabbing her hair and punching her in the face, Canada said. Beadle got out of the car, pulled the victim by her shirt, and punched her in the nose, causing her to lose consciousness, according to the report.\nA man and woman who witnessed the attack made comments to Beadle and Cornman about it, after which Beadle began verbally attacking the male witness, Canada said. Cornman yelled at the 23-year-old female witness before she began assaulting her. \nThe second victim received injuries to her hand, ankle and knee, according to the report. Officers called an ambulance, but neither victim needed medical attention, Canada said.\nCornman and Beadle were arrested and transported to the Monroe County Jail.