Counterfeits continue

Elkhart police received additional complaints Wednesday of businesses receiving counterfeit money across the city.

According to a report by Elkhart police, a gas station on the city’s north side reported that a suspect used a fake $20 bill to make a small purchase and returned to the store a short time later and attempted to make another purchase. The clerk confronted the suspect, but he grabbed the second bill and fled the business in a black Jeep Cherokee.

Police said an employee of a fast food restaurant on the city’s southwest side noticed that a suspect attempted to use a fake $50 bill, but when questioned, the suspect left without buying any food.

Elkhart city officials also reported to police that First Source Bank said one of the city deposits had four counterfeit bills, one $50 and three $20 bills. City officials were able to track the deposit to Pierre Moran pool, which is staffed by city employees.

Police suggest business owners stress to their employees to be very diligent about checking currency for its authenticity.

The suspect in the incidents is described as a black male in a dark sport utility vehicle.

Anyone with information may call police at 295-7070.

Man attempts to hang himself

A rural Elkhart man was hospitalized after attempting suicide by hanging early Wednesday morning.

According to a report by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, a 38-year-old man attempted to hang himself from a tree along a road near Morgan and Sassafras streets in Concord Township at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday.

The man was taken into custody and taken to Elkhart General Hospital for an emergency detention.

Burglary reported

A burglary was reported at an Elkhart convenience store at 1 a.m. Wednesday.

According to a report by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, Kiranjit Bawa, 41, Granger, owner of Bawa Marathon, 22700 Old U.S. 20, Elkhart, reported a window was broken at his business and six cartons of Newport cigarettes were stolen.

No value was set on the loss. The incident is under investigation.

Driver jailed on several charges

A Goshen driver who was stopped west of Elkhart for having an improper taillight was jailed on several charges at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday.

According to a report by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, a vehicle driven by Sherrie K. Sanders, 39, 20119 C.R. 19, Goshen, was stopped at Ash Road, south of C.R. 16, at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday because of a bad taillight.

She was arrested on the authority of two warrants. She also faces charges of driving while her license was suspended and possession of a controlled substance. She was booked at the Elkhart County jail with bond set at $3,000.

Man reportedly breaks-in, flees on bicycle

Police arrested a man who reportedly broke into a convenience store and then fled on a bicycle at 3 a.m. Thursday.

According to a report by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, officers responded to an alarm at Bender’s Store, 52019 C.R. 5, Elkhart, and a witness gave them a description of a suspect seen leaving the scene.

Police said they saw Antoine Desmond Bates, 27, 707 W. Marion St., Elkhart, on a bicycle, but the man failed to stop when police attempted to question him. He was arrested and police reportedly found cash and cartons of cigarettes. He was booked into the Elkhart County jail on charges of burglary of the business and resisting law enforcement.

Several face DWI charges

Several people were recently arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated.

They include:

• Matthew A. Grim, 35, Alliance, Ohio. He was arrested by Elkhart County Sheriff’s officers at Ind. 19 north of C.R. 6 at 11:54 p.m. Wednesday. He was also cited for failing to signal a turn and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

• Norman Troyer, 26, 19025 N. Rock Road, New Paris. He was arrested by Elkhart County Sheriff’s officers on C.R. 33, south of U.S. 20, at 12:47 a.m. Thursday. He reportedly refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test and was arrested.

• Jose M. Arroyo, 39, South Bend. He was arrested by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department at C.R. 20, east of C.R. 7, at 4:30 a.m. Thursday. The DWI charge is a felony and he also faces a charge of driving after his license was suspended. He was booked at the Elkhart County jail.

Thefts reported

Several thefts were reported to Elkhart County police recently, including:

• An undisclosed amount of money belonging to Jack R. Kupke, 57202 Sequoia Drive, Goshen, stolen from out of his vehicle while it was parked at his residence between 8 p.m. June 24 and 8 p.m. June 25.

• A motorcycle seat and saddlebags belonging to Dexter T. Blackburn, 409 E. Lincoln St., Millersburg, stolen from his motorcycle between 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

• A purse, wallet, iPod and cellular phone belonging to Debra Thomas, 59061 Timber Trail, Goshen, stolen from out of her vehicle while parked at her residence between 9 p.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Tuesday.

• A go-cart belonging to Glen Miller, 20, 69060 C.R. 15, New Paris, was stolen from off of his property at approximately midnight Wednesday.

Firefighters say they are not soliciting funds

Goshen firefighters have announced this week that they are not authorizing any fundraising on their behalf.

It was brought to the attention of Goshen firefighters that some people in the community have received telephone calls asking for cash donations. The caller says they are doing this on behalf of “the Firefighters’ Association.”

Jeremy Mast, president of the Goshen Professional Firefighters Local 1443, wants Goshen area residents to know that the Goshen firefighter union has not authorized anyone to solicit money for the organizations.

Questions may be directed to Goshen firefighters at 533-7878.