By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

​A Terre Haute man was arrested on a warrant yesterday following a Terre Haute Police Department molestation investigation.

Samuel L. McKinney, 52, was booked into the Vigo County Jail just after 8 p.m. He is charged with Level 4 Felony child molesting - touching/fondling a child under age 14 and Level 5 Felony criminal confinement of the victim.

According to the probable cause affidavit filed be Det. Troy Pesavento, of the Terre Haute Police Department, the alleged incident occurred in April last year with the suspect, whom is the great-uncle  of the 9-year-old  female victim.

The mother of the girl reported she heard her daughter crying and saying "no" when she noticed the man leaving the upstairs bedroom. The mother reported to police that she found her daughter upset in the room and the child reportedly told her mother McKinney attempted to kiss her.

According to the documents, the suspect's mother admitted that McKinney told her he tried to kiss the child, adding that it was done as " a joke."

The victim was noted to have changed behavior following the incident, including acting distant and not wanting to stay overnight at the suspect's residence where she had previously gone to spend time with cousins. 

​McKinney is scheduled to appear in Div. 3 Circuit Court Feb. 5.   He remains held on $50,000 - no 10 percent allowed.

​By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Multiple police cars surrounded the areas of two residential robberies in search of the suspects late last night.

All available Terre Haute Police Department officers were initially dispatched to the 1700 block of N. 25th Street on a report of two males armed with tasers and wearing masks just after 10 p.m. The suspects, both believed to be in their 20s, reportedly were wearing black clothing and gloves and fled prior to officers' arrival.  

Just a short time later, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of S. 24th Street on a similar residemtial robbery. Both suspects fled on foot before officers arrived. A perimeter was set up from Ohio Boulevard  to north of Wabash Avenue to search for the suspects.  

No injuries were reported.. The suspects possibly attempted other break-ins through the night.

The investigation is ongoing at this time. More information will be provided once it becomes available.

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

See updated story

The Terre Haute Police Department is investigating two northside armed robberies this evening.

Officers were  dispatched a cell phone business, Metro PCS,  located in the 1500 block of Fort Harrison Road just after 5 p.m. The employee told police the suspect was armed with a knife and demanding money. The suspect was described as a white male, wearing a  ski mask, black clothing,  jeans and  gloves. He is about 5-feet and 5-inches tall. He fled on foot westbound before officers arrived.

Just minutes later, while officers were investigating the Fort Harrison robbery, THPD officers were dispatched to the northside Subway restaurant located in the 1700 block of N. Third Street on a similar armed robbery report.

Employees of Subway stated a white male suspect was armed with a 10-inch long silver knife. The suspect is described as about 5-feet, 9-inches tall, with a thin build. He was reportedly dressed in black with a plaid jacket. He also was reportedly wearing a ski mask and gloves. He fled on foot to the north west before officers arrived.
 
The THPD has not stated the two incidents are related.

More information will be provided once it becomes available.