While 2020 has certainly challenged all of us as we have adjusted to life under covid, I wanted the residents to be aware that the men and women serving as Meridian Hills Police Officers have been working to keep the community safe. This year, we will have responded to over 400 calls while working over 750 shifts. We have checked on hundreds of residents homes who made us aware of our “vacation watch” while they were gone. While providing deterrent patrol of our neighborhood is our primary responsibility, we have worked with law enforcement partners to resolve several criminal cases.
Here are a few examples:
While on patrol in early June, Officer Matt Grimes apprehended several individuals who were destroying mailboxes and stole a traffic sign. Their actions resulted in several thousands of dollars in property damage and they were directed by the Court to pay restitution to the residents for the damage they caused.
In early March, we began experiencing numerous daytime thefts of landscaping equipment stolen from trucks parked in Meridian Hills and Williams Creek. The thefts occurred while crews tended to yards and homes. These thefts continued for weeks and expanded to include expensive tools taken from contractors working on new home construction. We were unable to catch these thieves despite having a description and plate number of the vehicle involved. The suspects were also involved in similar thefts across the northside of Indy and in Carmel.
Then in early December, the Carmel Police informed us the suspects were active in Williams Creek. Officer EJ Frank located the car involved and watched as the suspects brazenly stole valuable equipment from the truck of a service team working on Pennsylvania St. After a pursuit, both subjects were apprehended and a significant amount of stolen property was recovered. We estimate the two suspects stole over $200,000 of equipment this year. Carmel Police and IMPD will be pursuing charges against them and the buyers of the stolen property.
These cases follow several other apprehensions in the past years, including one burglary suspect who was apprehended after Detective John Maloney (working part-time in Meridian Hills) posted a photo of him on Crime Stoppers (which had been taken by the resident’s in-home video camera). The suspect’s grandmother recognized her grandson, called, and turned him in.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Town of Meridian Hills. We sincerely appreciate your support.
Wishing Everyone an Enjoyable and Healthy Holiday Season!
Michael Russo – Meridian Hills Town Marshal