Ripley Publishing Company

September 25, 2012

Federal agencies raid businesses and residences Excise police serve warrants; Versailles Acapulco closed

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Indiana State Excise Police officers were busy Monday morning and into the afternoon taking items that could be used as evidence from the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant at 1006 South Adams Street in Versailles.

Search warrants were served at the Acapulco #6 Mexican Restaurant in Batesville; Acapulco #3 Mexican Restaurant in Lawrenceburg; Acapulco #5 Mexican Restaurant in Rising Sun; Acapulco #8 Mexican Restaurant in Aurora and the Versailles location. They were also served at two undisclosed residences in Lawrenceburg, an undisclosed residence in Lafayette and one in Batesville.

Excise police served search warrants at a total of 13 businesses and four residences in connection with the bust that spanned across eight cities in Indiana.

The action is a result of an 18-month long investigation into the use of fraudulent and stolen social security numbers, according to a news release from Excise Police Cpl. Travis Thickstun. He told the Osgood Journal that there were six arrests made at the Versailles restaurant.

The released noted that officers were looking for evidence of corrupt business influence, money laundering, forgery, perjury, identity deception and theft.

Police also searched the offices of a tax-preparation service in Greenwood, two banks in Lafayette, and five other banks in southeast Indiana.

Cpl. Thickstun noted that immigration was involved at some of the arrests in response to police request.

While police were tight lipped while serving the warrants, one officer did tell the Osgood Journal that the Versailles restaurant would be closed for some time. When asked if they would be able to re-open, his answer was, "Well...maybe...someday."

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTOS

Pictured below right, the white vehicle parked sideways in front of the others at the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Versailles was blinking red and blue police lights from the back as the unmarked vehicle, along with others, had Indiana Excise Police going in and out of the restaurant taking items from the business. Police say more than 100 search warrants were served Monday morning, September 24 at other Acapulco locations and connected businesses and residences across Indiana. Pictured at left, two excise police officers came out of the restaurant, but told the Osgood Journal they could not comment on what was taking place.

Thousands of people attended the
Love Out Loud event at Osgood

JODIE GROSSMAN PHOTOS

Local ministers who came on board with the Just for Him ministry team out of Eustis, FL, saw their efforts way exceed expectations as thousands of people poured into the Ripley County Fairgrounds Park last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A group of 12 ministries came together along with a host of volunteers to make it happen . Below shows a picture of praise and worship as founder, Ken MacPhee, at right, reaches out to those who would come forward to accept Christ. The weekend was packed with Christian music, special speaking, free hair cuts, food, clothing, bouncy houses for children and so much more for those who were just willing to attend.

US 50 crash claims life of Bedford woman

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

A head on collision that occurred Sunday evening has claimed the life of a Bedford woman.

According to information from the Ripley County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, September 23 about 3:00 p.m. they responded to a report of a two vehicle crash on US 50 about two miles west of Holton. The crash occurred near the Ripley/Jennings county line.

Police say Alma M. Herbert of Bedford was traveling west on US 50 near County Road 1000 West, when for unknown reasons she crossed the centerline and collided with a 2000 Ford F-350 truck, which was being operated by Jefferey A. Jones of Holton. Jones was traveling east on US 50 and was less than a mile from his home.

Both drivers were the only occupants of their respective vehicles. Jones was airlifted by PHI to the University of Cincinnati Hospital for treatment of internal injuries according to the police report.

Herbert had to be extricated from her 2005 Honda Accord and was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital, North Vernon, where she died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

The crash is being investigated by Deputy Ryan McKittrick, who was assisted at the scene by Lt. Randy Holt, the Indiana State Police, Holton Town Marshal Bob Curl, Holton and Versailles fire departments, Rescue 69 and Ripley County Medic.

To read these and more articles pick up a copy of The Versailles Republican at your local store or subscribe by clicking on the link above or by calling 812-689-6364.

Ripley Publishing Company, Inc.

115 S. Washington Street P.O. Box 158 Versailles, Indiana 47042	Phone: (812) 689-6364 Fax: (812) 689-6508
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