​By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

Kacie Hartbank was found mudered in her home on Terre Haute's north side last week.

Her boyfriend, Floyd L. "Spanky" Cheesman, 43, of West Terre Haute, allegedly killed the woman during a fight about her not responding to his phone calls.

He was booked into the Vigo County Jail Friday and charged with murder, auto theft, fraud and theft.

​Police received tips that Cheesman was at the Woodridge Motel on Wabash Avenue just before he was arrested for the murder. He was taken into custody and cooperated with officers.

According to the probable cause affidavit, filed by Det. David Thompson, of the Terre Haute Police Department, Cheesman said he was fighting with Hartbank over her ignoring his calls.

He reportedly admitted he had pushed her to the floor and "got on top of her and choked her with his hands, until her body went limp and his hands hurt." She was dead.

He left the scene in the victim's car.

The Terre Haute Police Deparment investigation began Tuesday afternoon when Hartbank's friend saw an ad on social media for a dog recently found that looked like the one belonging to the victim. She tried to call her friend. When she didn't answer the phone, the woman went to the home on Fourth Avenue to attempt to reunite her with her pet. Ultimately, the landlord was contacted and he opened the door.

Immediately, something was wrong.

They found Hartbank's bedroom door was padlocked from the outside. They pried it open a short time later.
 
The victim was found lying face down on the floor, covered with a blanket. 

Further investigation revealed Cheesman allegedly killed her the day before.

It didn't take long for the suspect to try to sell many of the victim's possessions, witnesses reportedly told investigators. He also hinted to some before the body was found,  that he had done something  " very bad, that he could never recover from," according to the court documents.

Cheesman remains held in the jail with no bond allowed. He is scheduled to appear in Div. 6 Superior Court Wednesday afternoon.
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See related story
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UPDATE Oct. 5, 2020:

The suspect has been placed under arrest, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames.

 Omaree Shay Roby, 23, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was released from IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Sept. 30 and transported to the Vermillion County jail where he is now incarcerated and being held on a $150,000 bond with no 10% allowed.
Once the State Police investigation is complete, it will be submitted to the Vermillion County and Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office for review and action as deemed appropriate by those offices.  
No further information will be released.
Arrested and Charges:  Omaree Shay Roby, 23, Milwaukee.

• Aggravated Battery, Felony 3
• Criminal Recklessness, Felony 6
• Pointing a Firearm, Felony 6
• Resisting Law Enforcement, Felony 6

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By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

An Indiana State Police investigation into a police-action shooting is underway after a high speed pursuit ended early this morning with an exchange of gunfire just north of clinton.

The suspect was struck  after allegedly initiating the shootout with police on SR 63 at US 36 around 4:30 a.m. ​

According to Sgt. Matt Ames, of the ISP, the suspect, Omaree S. Roby, 23, of Milwaukee, Wis., was armed with a handgun and ultimately began firing shots at the officers in pursuit before he was struck by at least one bullet.

Medical assistance was rendered at the scene.  The suspect was transported to Union Hospital in Clinton and then transported to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the incident.

Further investigation revealed the suspect vehicle had been reported stolen from Evansville, before Roby continued northbound from there, armed and dangerous.

"He had allegedly committed a carjacking, forcing an individual out of the vehicle with a gun, by shooting it into the air," Ames said.

The multi-agency police pursuit began in Vigo County a short time before the police-involved shooting.

Ames said Roby fled from an attempted traffic stop for speeding in Terre Haute.

Deputy Richard Stangle, of the Vigo Co. Sheriff's Department, spotted the speeding suspect vehicle on Margaret Drive, near Third Street. He initiated a traffic stop, to no avail. The vehicle fled northbound onto SR 63, reaching speeds of 120 miles- per- hour.

Officers eventually deployed a tire deflation device at the intersection of SR 63 and Hazelbluff Road.  The  vehicle went across the spikes,  which flattened the driver side tires. Roby eventually lost control of the vehicle and left the roadway at the exit ramp of SR 63 at US 36.

He did not fire in the air this time.

Roby started shooting towards officers through the rear window of the car, striking one officer’s vehicle, Ames explained.

Ultimately, the suspect exited the vehicle --  brandishing a handgun -- and allegedly fired at officers as they ordered him to drop the weapon.

They fired back.

"Several officers then discharged their service weapons, resulting in the subject being struck and injured," Ames said.

Vigo County Sheriff John Plasse and Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Phelps requested ISP investigate the incident.

All officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave, including:

• Vigo County Sheriff's deputies Richard Stangle, nine years of service; and Derek DeHart, two years of service. 
• Vermillion County deputies Joe Wilson, two years of service; and John Hawkins, 12 years of service; as well as Cayuga Town Marshal Keith Warner, three years of service. 

Also assisting in the pursuit: Parke County Sheriff’s Department, West Terre Haute Police Department, Clinton Police Department and Rockville Police Department.

The investigation is ongoing.