Police investigating attempted rape claim
(Indianapolis) – A woman says she was the target of a rapist whom she had previously encountered at a gas station. According to a report by Fox 59 news, the victim says early Tuesday morning her car was rear ended near I-465 and Shadeland Avenue. After both drivers got out of their car to exchange information, the victim says the man grabbed her car keys and purse, forced her into his car and demanded she perform a sex act on him while he drove. He reportedly threatened to kill her and struck her several times if she refused. The suspect pulled into the Dollar Inn store parking lot in the 8100 block of Shadeland Avenue and attempted to rape her. The victim was able to escape and ran inside the motel for help.
Officer accused of visiting a strip club
(Indianapolis) –An internal investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 23-year IMPD officer and district supervisor. Sgt. Michael Forrest has been charged with official misconduct. According to the investigation, last month Forrest drove his marked squad car to the Sunset Strip club at 16th and Lafayette Road on the city’s westside. While there, Forrest who was dressed in uniform allegedly paid for drinks and lap dances with a stripper and then had sex with her in a private room. All of the activity was caught on the club’s video surveillance camera. Forrest has been suspended without pay.
Motorist sentenced in fatal accident
(Indianapolis) – A man who killed a 12-year-old girl while driving drunk learned his sentence Tuesday after pleading guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. Trenton Gaff will spend 11 years behind bars and his driver’s license will be suspended for five years. Tierra Pierson and a relative were walking on Bluff Road shortly before 6 p.m. in December 2010 when Gaff struck them. Tierra was taken to Methodist Hospital where she died a few weeks later.
University works to education men about cancer
(Lafayette) – Affecting Cancer Together is the name of a campaign to educate men about prostate cancer at the direction of Purdue University’s Center for Cancer Research. Information about the disease will be distributed in local barber shops in hopes employees will urge their clients to make an appointment to get screened for the disease. Marion County has the state’s highest prostate cancer and death rates. Seventy barbershops are currently participating in the program and future plans are to extend breast and colon cancer awareness to beauty salons.
Governor announces discovery of millions of dollars
(Indianapolis) – Governor Mitch Daniels says an error found by an auditor has resulted in a surplus of $300 million in the state’s general fund. The money is from a corporate income tax collection account which had been overlooked. At a Tuesday news conference, Governor Daniels did not elaborate on what will be done with the money; but did suggest leaving the money alone to build up the state’s surplus which could lead to future automatic taxpayer refunds.
Neighborhood voices objections to gas station construction
(Indianapolis) – An abandoned corner at 16th and Central Avenue has become a point of disagreement between a neighborhood association and the city. Members of the Herron-Morton Place association say they don’t want the increased traffic, potential for crime and chemicals in their community and have sued the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. The commission says it supports a developer’s plans to rebuild a gas station at the site which has been vacant since 2004.
