The following subjects were arrested by the Mt. Carmel Police Department. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
06/17/2016-Mt. Carmel Police received a call from Casey’s Convenient Store that a person in a red Buick had pumped $15.50 in fuel but failed to pay for it. Police located the suspect vehicle and initiated a vehicle stop. Officer’s identified the driver as Jeffery D. McGhee, age 36, of Dugger, Indiana. During the traffic stop the arresting officer reported an alcoholic beverage smell coming from the driver. McGhee was subsequently arrested for DUI. McGhee was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with one count of DUI. McGhee was held pending the posting of bond. McGhee would later return to Casey’s and pay for the fuel.
06/19/2016-Mt. Carmel Police were notified through the text-a-tip hotline of an underage drinking party at 1118 N. Grenelefe Avenue in Mt. Carmel. When officer’s arrived on scene they found a 16 year old female outside of the residence and determined she had been consuming alcohol. The arresting officer reported they could see other individuals in the residence but they would not answer the door. The 16 year old female was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was processed and then turned over to a family member. The Mt. Carmel Police would like to point out that it is unlawful for parents to allow underage drinking parties to occur at their home. This case is still under investigation and further charges could be filed.
06/21/2016-Mt. Carmel Police were called to a domestic battery in the 800 block of W. 6th Street. Upon arrival officer’s were told there was an argument between Mary E. Birkla, age 47, and her boyfriend, Randy Batterton. Witnesses stated the two subjects were arguing but not in a physical altercation. Police would leave the scene only to be called back 30 minutes later. This time Birkla claimed that she was battered and wanted Batterton arrested for domestic battery. A witness at the scene stated Birkla actually slapped herself causing there to be red marks on her face. Birkla was subsequently arrested for filing a false police report. Birkla was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with filing a false police report. It was also discovered that Birkla was wanted on a failure to appear warrant out of Lawrence County. Birkla was served the FTA warrant. Birkla is being held pending the setting of bond.
