​A Terre Haute man was arrested onl drug-related charges after a trooper stopped him at a northside intersection for defective taillights last night.

Devonce O. Whitesides, 22, was booked into the Vigo County Jail just after 11:30 p.m. Whitesides was preliminarily charged with possession of a handgun without a permit; possession of marijuana; possession of paraphernalia, open container violation; and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  

According to ISP Sgt. Joe Watts, Trooper Ian Portteus stopped the blue Chevrolet Impala near North 22nd and Liberty streets at about 10:30 p.m. because the car lacked functioning taillights.

As Trooper Portteus approached the two occupants, he reportedly noticed possible criminal indicators and a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Trooper Nicole Cheeks and officers from the Terre Haute Police arrived to assist Portteus at the scene. 

"​A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded trace amounts of marijuana throughout the interior, open containers of alcohol, scales with alleged marijuana residue, and a loaded .380 caliber handgun," Watts said, adding, "During his in-processing, approximately 30 grams of marijuana was found inside his under-clothing."

Whitesides 17-year-old juvenile male passenger was not charged and released from the scene.

The Terre Haute Fire Department is investigating a southside residential fire tonight.

Emergency crews were dispatched to 45 S. 19th St., near Wabash Avenue at about 10:30 p.m. When firefighters arrived on the scene , smoke was coming from the attic area of the single story house. Neighbors said they didn't think anyone was inside the home at the time.

A woman and a group of reportedly rough men ganged up on a northside resident at his home the week before Christmas, allegedly stealing his wallet, cell phone, new laptop computer and several other items while leaving him with multiple injuries suffered in a brawl at the scene.

Before the suspects fled in a whilte passenger car, the victim grabbed his 20 guage shotgun and fired at the front tire in attempt to stop them from getting away, but they continued to flee the scene, according to the the probable cause affidavit prepared by Det. Les Hamm, of the Terre Haute Police Department.

Detectives served an arrest warrant for one of the robbery suspects early this morning.

Raychel B. Hatcher, 33, of Terre Haute, was booked into the Vigo County Jail at about 1 a.m. She is charged with residential entry - break and enter dwelling, kidnapping, failure to appear and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury.

One aggressor allegedly threatened the victim to not to get up until after they left, or there'd be "500 more f-----rs just like him" coming back. They all allegedly grabbed more items as they left the residence. 

According to the report, ​Hatcher -- an acquaintance of the victim --  visited the victim's North 35th Street residence Dec. 19. She was initially accompanied by one male whom the victim did not personally know. 

Once inside the residence, Hatcher reportedly asked the victim if he had money owed to her, which he responded he didn't owe her nor anyone money. Hatcher then used a cell phone to alert three other males not personally known by the victim into the home, whom all reportedly attacked the victim inside the house. 

The victim suffered lacerations and other injuries from the fight and complained of pain, however he did not seek medical attention at the time.