Police Beat
Body discovered, two assaults and robbery at knife-point

On Nov. 7 police were dispatched to 824 Park Dr., No. 6, with a report of a dead body. The witness discovered the victim when she was dropping her child off and found the deceased still in bed. Police found his wallet and secured his I.D. The witness stated the victim had not been ill and was not on any medications that she knew of. She said he had cancer 3-4 years ago but was declared cancer free. She had seen the victim the previous day and he seemed fine with no complaints of being ill. A perimeter was established around the residence and the coroner called in to investigate.

ASSAULT

On Nov. 9 police responded to a call at 443 E. Fifth St. and found Joshua Day lying on the sidewalk, asking to be taken to the hospital. The victim told police the suspect, Chris Vanata, came at him with a sword and struck his arm. Day had a large gash on his left arm. Vanata told police it was an accident and he didn’t do anything. Vanata was placed in the police cruiser but kept tapping the window asking if Day was all right, saying “they just fell while they were kinda horsing around.” Vanata had blood around his mouth and a cut on his chin that was bleeding. Greenville rescue transported Day to Wayne ER; the officer transported Vanata. Vanata had fallen asleep, woke up for a CAT scan and fell asleep again while they were stitching up his chin. Day was also treated for his wound. Upon release from the hospital both individuals were transported back to the residence. After receiving consent to search, police recovered the sword. Vanata was arrested for felonious assault and transported to the Darke County Jail.

On Oct. 31 police responded to Wayne Emergency regarding an assault. The victim, Jacinda Chasteen, said she had been assaulted outside her residence at 201-1/2 Warren St. She had been arguing with Kelsey Lynch and Alicia Shilt on Facebook regarding another individual. Shilt had telephoned Chasteen she was going to come to her residence and “stomp her head in.” That night she was walking a friend to her vehicle when Lynch, Shilt, Tyler Jett and two unknown females exited their vehicle. Lynch and Shilt held Chasteen down and began punching her in the head and face. During this time two witnesses exited Chasteen’s residence. Jett threatened them with a baseball bat to leave the three alone. He also struck the vehicle of Chasteen’s mother, shattering its taillights. Chasteen had several cuts and marks on her face, scratches on her neck, a black and blue eye and a cut above her eye. Lynch was advised she will be cited for assault. When contact has been made, Shilt will be cited for assault and Jett for criminal damaging.

ROBBERY/THEFT/BREAKING & ENTERING

On Nov. 6 police were dispatched to 330 E. Fifth St. regarding a robbery. The victim, Dallas Turner, had slurred speech, blood shot eyes and an odor of alcohol on him. He said he was in bed watching TV when a suspect forced her way into his residence, displayed a knife and took $80 from his pocket. The officer asked Turner to write a statement about what had taken place. He wrote seven words, two of them unintelligible. The officer explained he needed more information than that. The victim said he did not have his glasses. The officer asked if he would get them. Turner then got upset, walked out the door and said “forget it.” He was advised to call if he changed his mind.

JUVENILE COMPLAINT

On Nov. 6 at 1:38 p.m. police noticed a juvenile walking across the old Marsh parking lot. Police stopped him to ask why he wasn’t in school. The juvenile advised he was in the virtual academy and gets out early. When questioned about the locations and times of the classes the juvenile appeared not to have the answers. Police contacted the high school to confirm the story and were advised the juvenile was not in the virtual academy and had walked out sometime during the lunch period. Contact with juvenile probation indicated prior charges as an unruly juvenile. The juvenile was transported to the high school and cited for Falsification and Unruly Juvenile. The boy’s mother was contacted.

SEX OFFENSE

On Oct. 30 police responded to a sexual assault complaint. A developmentally disabled person said he was watching TV with the suspect on Oct. 29 when the individual began kissing him and requiring him to participate in other acts which he did not want. The victim named a second suspect but was unable to provide a time frame on the incident. The victim gave an address for the suspect but when police arrived they were advised the suspect had left in a hurry, location unknown. A sexual assault kit was completed and placed into property as evidence.

VANDALISM

On Nov. 3 police responded to 820 12th St. regarding a vehicle that had been damaged. Misty Markland said her 2002 yellow Ford Mustang was parked in front of her residence when she heard a loud noise. She noticed a cinder block on the street near the rear of her Mustang. When she went outside to check she saw an unknown suspect had shattered her rear windshield and put a large dent on the trunk lid. No suspects at this time.

Published courtesy of The Early Bird