Full Notification

Bunker Hill - Yesterday, a robbery investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Josh Maller and Trooper Jonathan Cole led to the arrests of Wallace Taylor, 24, Peru, IN, and Caleb Sullivan, 23, Lafayette, IN.  Both men were incarcerated in the Miami County Jail to face felony charges for burglary while armed with a deadly weapon, robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, residential entry, theft, and dealing in a scheduled I, II, or III narcotic. The pair also faces a misdemeanor count for possession of a controlled substance. Sullivan faces two additional misdemeanor charges for possession of hypodermic needles and possession of marijuana.

Yesterday, at approximately 2:43 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call reporting an armed robbery at the Caring Hands Assisted Living Facility on 1850 Matador Street, in Bunker Hill.  The preliminary investigation revealed that a man, wearing a ski mask, entered the facility allegedly armed with a handgun. The man demanded a nurse open a locked cabinet where narcotics were stored. The nurse complied with the request. The masked man then purportedly stole approximately 642 scheduled II narcotic pills and fled the facility. No one was injured during the robbery.

The investigation led officers to a home at 48 McKinstry, Peru. There was a van believed to be the getaway vehicle at the house. During a search of the home and van, officers found syringes and marijuana. They also found a BB style handgun, which investigators believed was the weapon displayed during the robbery.  Taylor purportedly lived at the home. During the investigation, officers also allegedly found evidence related to the crime behind a building in Peru. The evidentiary items had been set on fire and burned.

Further investigation led to probable cause for officers to arrest Sullivan and Taylor for crimes related to the robbery of the Caring Hands Assisted Living Facility. Sullivan was a former nurse at the facility. He was allegedly fired in July of 2015. Investigators believe he was the masked robber, while Taylor is alleged to have driven the getaway van. Officers recovered only a small amount of the stolen drugs. It is believed a majority of the pills were sold prior to Sullivan and Taylor’s arrest.

Detective Maller and Trooper Cole were assisted with this investigation by Indiana State Police First Sergeant Bob Burgess, ISP Sergeant Rob Ricks, officers from the Peru Police Department, and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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                                                                                    Slocum