In late December of 2023, it was reported that William D. Hensley (43), of Elkhart, was missing. Due to some of the circumstances reported, the Elkhart County Homicide Unit started an investigation, engaging in numerous interviews, searches, and other investigative efforts
On December 13, 2023, the multi-agency Elkhart County Intelligence and Covert Enforcement (ICE) Unit conducted a search warrant on a residence on County Road 117 in Elkhart County after working in collaboration with the Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (KANET) from Kent County, Michigan.
On April 28, 2011 Indiana State Trooper White stopped Patrick Austin as he was traveling east along the 80/90 Toll road to conduct a routine vehicle inspection. Austin was driving an extended cab trailer with an attached enclosed trailer containing a black 2008 Rolls Royce Phantom and a white 2007 Mercedes-Benz.
On June 13, 2014 an Elkhart County jury convened in Superior Court 5 convicted Richard Bontrager, age 58, of OWI – endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor. Bontrager pled guilty to battery on a law enforcement officer, a Class A misdemeanor.
On June 4, 2014 an Elkhart County jury found Roger Hartman, of Osceola, St Joseph County, guilty of Strangulation, a Class D felony and Battery, a Class A misdemeanor. The jury convicted Mr. Hartman after hearing evidence Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning regarding an incident in Elkhart County.
On March 3, 2014, after deliberating for less than 15 minutes, a jury convicted Wesley New of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) and Driving While Suspended – Prior, both Class A misdemeanors. Upon being convicted by the jury, New waived his right to a jury for the second phase of the trial and admitted to the Court that he had a prior conviction for OWI within the previous five years, which makes his charge a Class D felony.
On February 27, 2014 defendant Adam White was convicted of one count of Battery by Means of a Deadly Weapon, a Class C Felony. White stabbed victim Rolando Canchola with a knife approximately one foot in length in the area of Brady Street and Jackson Place on September 10, 2013, while Canchola was outside with friends and other members of the neighborhood.
On February 14, 2014 Mitchell Frantz a six person jury found Mitchell Frantz guilty of Battery and Bodily Injury (A Misdemeanor) after injuring his elderly neighbor. On January 26, 2013 an elderly citizen of Elkhart County believed she heard a domestic violence occurring in a next-door apartment. When the concerned neighbor went next door to help out a potential victim in need, she became a victim herself.
On March 5, 1988 after 11:00 p.m., a ten year old girl living on Elkhart’s west side was asleep on the couch in the living room of her home where she had been watching television. Her older brother had already gone to bed and her parents were out for the evening. The child was awakened by a loud crash and discovered that an unknown man had broken in through the front door.
Jose Alejandro, 21, of Elkhart, lost his familiar smile on May 24, 2013, as Elkhart Circuit Court Judge Terry Shewmaker committed him to the Indiana Department of Correction for the next 100 years.
