The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 30, Milford, Kosciusko County, 6 September 1989 — Page 1

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VOLUME 28

/J /'/S. L . W; '>X ' *’ EpF X.gZa GUN, MONEY RECOVERED FROM ROBBERY — The arrest of Jon P. Woods, 20, 3603 Fawn Cove, Apt. 3, Portage, Mich., led police to the recovery of a .9mm semi-automatic pistol, known as a "Mac 11”, and some of the cash stolen in robbery last Tuesday of The Leesburg Bank Office of First National Bank of Warsaw. Woods was arrested at 4:40 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 30, in his Portage home. Woods and his accomplice. Matthew S. Layman. 20, 708 N. Lake St.. Warsaw. have been charged, with robbery, a class B felony. They are being held in the county jail on a bond of $25,000 each. No court date has been set. Robbery is defined by the state statutes as: “a person who knowingly or intentionally takes property from another person or from the presence of another person: by using or threatening the use of force on any person; or by putting any person in fear: commits robbery, a class C felony. However the offense is a’felass B felony if it is committed while armed with a deadly weapon or results in bodily injury to any person other than a defendant.. .” Each man faces a prison sentence of six to 20 years if convicted. Shown in the photo is the “Mac 11” and a 20-round clip along with some of the money recovered. The exact amount taken in the robbery is not being released for security reasons. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

Hobbs and Rovenstine stopped vehicle, helped solve robbery

By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer

“If it hadn’t been for Dave (Hobbs) and Aaron (Rovenstine), it would have been a long hard struggle,” commented an official from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department. The Milford police officers provided a vehicle description and plate number of a second get-a-way vehicle in the Leesburg Bank robbery last week. Within less than 24 hours of the robbery, one person was behind bars and police were enroute to Michigan to apprehend another. It was shortly after 1 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Milford Town Marshal David Hobbs had picked up Officer Aaron Rovenstine for the afternoon shift. They stopped at Hobbs' home to drop him off,

Help keep seniors healthy — Companionship and activities

ißy STACEY LESCH Staff Writer

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article is part three of a fourpart series about the REAL Services and general nutrition sites in the Milford. Syracuse and. North Webster areas.) The most important part of the Resources for Enriching Adult Living Services (REAL) Nutrition Program, says Mabie Shawver, North Webster site director, is the socializing. Although the food is very important. the senior citizens also need the companionship and activities to keep them healthy. The North Webster site has been in operation for just under two years. Because the town lacked a community building, the nutrition site was established in the basement of the North Webster Church of the Brethren. Says Mabie, "We were originally only to be here three months until a community building was constructed However, the REAL Services meals have continued to be held in the church basement because the building has not yet been completed due to a lack of funds. In efforts to speed the construction, participants of the REAL meals held an auction last year which raised in excess of $2,000. all of which was donated for the community building The seniors are now anticipating the completion of the building in just a few short weeks. Averaging between 15 and 20 seniors each day. the North Webster nutrition site is a place of retreat for many older citizens who would otherwise lack in social contact. Not only are well-balanced, hot meals served five days a week for anyone aged 60 and over, but the four hour meeting time also allows for the playing of cards and other games, the completion of jigsaw puzzles, and plenty of other entertainment or trips to nearby locations. . _ For those who are unable to drive themselves to the nutrition site Mabie tells that the Happy Wanderer Van will provide transportation on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to and from the North Webster

■ Consolidation of THE MILFORD MAIL (Est. 1888) and THE SYRACUSE-WAWASEE JOURN AL (Est. 190/ )

leaving Rovenstine the squad car when the county’s radio dispatcher announced a bank alarm at Leesburg Bank While enroute to assist in sealing off the area, the robbery was confirmed and a description of the robber and get-a way vehicle was given: A white male, 25-30 years of age. five feet-eight inches tall. 140 pounds, dark hair, slender built, driving a black jeep. No plate number was available. The robber was armed. Since a majority of the officers responding were checking the areas south of the bank. The Milford officers decided to go west and work their way towards the bank. Heading west on CR 900 N, the Milford officers went to CR 425 W with plans to turn south At that time they saw a 1972 Pontiac GTO northbound. The squad car was used to block the intersection. Marshal Hobbs stated at that same time County Detective Stan Holderman was in pursuit of what was believed to be the rob-

ber's get-a-way vehicle. / The driver of the GTO was questioned. He said he was lost and wanted to know where Warsaw was. Hobbs noted the driver of the vehicle did not match the description of the robber. His passenger came close but was not dressed in the clothing that had been described. The driver s license was checked by Rovenstine who also took down the information on the license plate. The passenger, who was wearing a white T-shirt, bike pants and a red ball cap, was asked if he had any identification. He said had none. Because the officers believed that Holderman had the correct vehicle stopped, and they were looking for one. not two persons, the men were allowed to leave. Hobbs stated, “We hadn’t gone a mile when we heard someone had seen someone in a white shirt in a cornfield. I knew then we had stopped the robber.” (Continued on page 2)

nutrition site. Anyone needing a ride should call the Kosciusko CountyCouncil on Aging at least one day prior to the engagement at 267-2012. There is no fee. however, the council does ask for donations. Special Activities Mabie savs the seniors often participate in free health care screenings asking area health care personnel to come to the site to check blood pressure or cholesterol levels. "We're very blessed to have that available." comments Mabie. “A lot of the (participants) have found they needed to get medical attention. It's a wonderful service that we are very lucky to have access to us.’’ Although a date has not been verified, the North Webster participants of the REAL meals will be taking a tour of .the county in September. Mabie says other trips the group has taken include those to the planetarium in Fort W'ayne, the Shipshewana flea market, and a local pumpkin farm. "We re like one big family," says Corinne Staples about the group that meets five days a week. ‘‘We even have birthday and other special celebrations," for the participants. Mabie gave an example of one such special occasion: Two seniors who regularly attend the REAL meals were unexpectedly married on a recent Saturday morning. The following Monday, the rest of the group held an "impromptu" reception for them. Those seniors who attend the nutrition program on a regular basis have only good things to say about it. “It’s A-OK." was Daisy Pearson's energetic response to sum up the program. “The food's the best part ." Corinne likes the fact that the seniors are actually able to help serve the meals, while Blanche Miller says she enjoys being with the other seniors where they can enjoy themselves in a stress-free, worryfree environment. . See related photo on page 2.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6,1989

Arrest two for robbery of First Notional Bank

IBy DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer

Matthew Steven Layman, 20, 708 N. Lake St., Warsaw, and Jon Patrick Wood, 20, 3603 Fawn Cove, Apt. 3, Portage, Mich., remain in the Kosciusko County Jail, on charges of robbery, Class B felony, in connection with the armed of The Leesburg Office of First National Bank of Warsaw last Tuesday. “The arrest (of Layman) came less than 24 hours later, due to the fact of the cooperation of all police agencies involved. I can’t say enough about the cooperation of everyone involved,” commented Sheriff Ron Robinson. MATTHEW F LAYMAN < The men are former classmates at Mendon High School in Mendon, Mich., and have kept in contact with each other. A few weeks ago. while Layman was in the area, visiting from New Jersey, he went to Portage. south of Kalamazoo, to visit Wood. At 1:11 p.m.. last Tuesday, a hold-up alarm at The Leesburg Bank was confirmed and police began searching the area surrounding the bank for the robberysuspect and get-a way vehicle. The get-a-way vehicle, a 1985 Jeep CJ7 Laredo, was found abandoned in a cornfield on CR 75W. approximately one-mile southwest of the bank. It had been stolen from Kalamazoo. Mich., several days before. The search by air and ground began for the driver. Several reports were received from nearby residents of a another vehicle in the immediate area. Information on a vehicle the Milford Police had stopped six miles northwest of the bank showed the description of the passenger matched that of the bank robber Police began to watch for a 1972 Pontiac with a plate number 43H8451. Car Spotted Off duty Warsaw City Police

Officer Bob Hall notified the Warsaw Police at 9:13 a.m., Wednesday, that he saw the vehicle on Argonne Road, heading north from Winona Lake. At 9:29 am., the vehicle was spotted at Hardee’s, heading toward’s Frontage Road. Police converged on the area after the driver and two passengers got out of the car at Light and Life Bookstore. All three were taken to the county JON WOOD i jail and questioned. Only Layman was held, his mother and brother were released. By 1 p.m., Layman had confessed to driving the second vehicle. Following the questioning of Layman and information gained from the stolen Jeep CJ7 Laredo, Sheriff Robinson stated, “We knew we were looking for so-

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RIBBON CUTTING FESTIVITIES — Shelly Hart, park board member, is shown cutting the ribbon at the dedication ceremonies foi the gazebo and decorative lights at Syracuse Lakeside Park. The celebration was held on Thursday. Aug. 31. and was a popular ex ent in spite of the cloudy w eather. Shown, from left to right, are Sarah Slabaugh. president of the park foundation; Cassie Cowan, board of directors of park foundation. Sonya Wells, board of directors of park foundation: Jack Wells, board of directors of park foundation; Sam Leman, architect: Shelly Hart.

Large turnout for dedication ceremonies and last concert

In spite of the cloudy and rainy weather conditions, a large crowd turned out for the dedication ceremonies at Syracuse Lakeside Park on Thursday . Aug 31. The evening celebration marked the official dedication ot the gazebo and decorative lights at the park Following a welcome by the night's emcee. Bud Smith, members of the Lakes Area Community Band opened the

meone in the Kalamazoo area.” Detective Sergeant Tom Kitch and an unidentified Federal Bureau of Investigation Officer went to Portage. “We had good cooperation between Mendon, Sturgis, Portage Police Departments and Saint Joseph County Sheriff’s Department. They helped develop a background on these guys,” noted Robinson. Police spoke to Wood's girl

Young boating accident victim still hospitalized

By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer

The investigation continues into the boating accident Sunday, Sept. 3, on Lake Wawasee that injured seven persons. The accident occurred at approximately 5:36 p.m., near Black Point on the northeast side of Lake

festivities w ith the "National Anthem ” Kip Schumm. president of the park board, followed with an introduction of the park board, park foundation and town council After these presentations. Shelly Hart read a list of donors for the gazebo and decorative lights in thanks and recognition for their contributions After the official lighting ceremony and ribbon cutting, the

friend, who indicated there was a gun in his apartment and that he was probably there. “Rather than risk the safety of the other apartment residents, we had her attempt to call him on the telephone,” said Kitch. The girl friend spoke with Wood and informed him that the police were outside his apartment, but would not harm him if he surrendered. When he walked out of the apartment, he was im-

Wawasee. A reconstruction specialist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will be looking at the damage to the boats to provide officials with an idea of the speed of each boat and the direction of travel at the time of the accident. Todd Brammer, three. 9126 Yoder Road, Yoder, who was the

park board; Dana Cone, contractor: Kip Schumm. president of park board: Phil Stump, park board: Don Cowan, park board; Jim Hughes, Svracuse town council president: Carol Koble. town council liaison to park board; and behind Koble is Jim Caskey, president of SyracuseWawasee Chamber of Commerce. Inset is a picture of the new sign on the gazebo. The sign was made by Dave and Susie Butler of Syracuse. (Photos by Kip Schumm and Mary Jane Lorton >

name of the new gazebo. “Ken and Leia Harkless Gazebo." was unveiled by Betty Appenzeller Appenzeller is the niece of Ken and Leia Harkless and is one of the board of directors of the Harkless Foundation. The sign was made by Dave and Susie Butler of Syracuse. The evening was capped off with a performance by Mr G. and The Big Band. The toe tapping tunes from this 16-piece band brought many to their feet as

NUMBER 30

mediately taken into custody and gave a statement admitting his involvement in the robbery. Kitch stated consent was given by both Wood and his girl friend to search the apartment where the gun and some of the money was recovered. Wood agreed to be brought to Kosciusko County and arrived at the county jail Thursday afternoon at approximately 3:30 p.m. Both men have been appointed attorneys.

most severely injured, remains in fair condition in Saint Joseph Medical Center, South Bend. He was a passenger in a 17-foot 1975 Correct Craft Mustage driven by Frank Hackett, 30, 9117 N. Goldspier Dr., F ort Wayne. Hackett suffered rib injuries. Additional passengers in the boat and their injuries are: Michael Brammer, seven, 9126 Yoder (Continued on page 2)

there was dancing under the pavilion Although this concert marks the end of this summer’s music series, concert-goers are reminded to watch for details for a concert on December 3. An “Old Fashioned Christmas in the Park.” this concert promises to carry on the tradition of fun and entertainment under the gazebo at Lakeside Park. In addition, plans are in the works for rext year's Music in the Parks series