Indiana State Police/Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Regional Auto Theft Task Force Recognized for Outstanding Service
Indianapolis, IN- Yesterday evening, May 3, 2017, officers from the Indiana State Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were recognized for their primary roles in the development and operational success of the Regional Auto Theft Task Force. The Bob Sattler Award may be presented to law enforcement, the insurance industry, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, vehicle manufactures or others who have performed an investigation in a superior manner and the results must have had a significant impact on auto theft or related crimes.
The award is named after Robert Sattler of the National Auto Theft Bureau, who in 1960 became the first primary instructor to the Illinois State Police Vehicle Identification Unit. The excellence in training first offered by Robert Sattler provided the basis for the North Central Regional Chapter training seminars. This prompted the creation of Robert Sattler award to memorialize his dedication and commitment.
Those recognized at the awards ceremony were:
Lieutenant Donna Elam – Indiana State Police
Sergeant Ken Houck – Indiana State Police
Detective Dan Hearon – Indiana State Police
Detective Bryan Reed – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Patrolman Matthew McFadden – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
Each of these officers played key roles in the development and operational success of the ISP/IMPD Regional Auto Theft Task Force, which was established in 2015. Since its inception, these officers have implemented a successful four pronged approach of Legislation, Education, Enforcement, and Partnerships to effectively impact auto theft problems in the Central Indiana Region.
In 2015, Indiana State Police Lt. Donna Elam recognized a variety of problems impacting auto theft investigations. These included staffing concerns and increased cases of auto thefts in central Indiana. Also, language in the Indiana criminal code needed to be addressed to effectively enforce some critical felony violations of the law. She established partnerships with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Marion County Prosecutor’s office, National Insurance Crime Bureau, and the Indiana Secretary of State’s office to create a multi-agency Central Indiana Regional Auto Theft Task Force. She also worked with Indiana law makers to enhance legislation in order to make the Indiana Criminal Code more effective to combat vehicle crimes.
ISP Sgt. Ken Houck has been instrumental in leading and directly supervising Task Force field operations and investigations. Sgt. Houck and IMPD Det. Bryan Reed provided auto theft training at the ISP and IMPD Academy’s and to other law enforcement officers. They have served as liaisons to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, the Marion County Prosecutor’s office, and provided education to Indiana legislators as well as testifying in legislative committee meetings on proposed auto theft legislation.
ISP Detective Hearon and IMPD Officer McFadden have led the Task Force in arrests, vehicle recoveries and auto theft cases. They identified, investigated, and arrested multiple suspects engaged in organized auto theft crimes to include re-tagged vehicles and salvage chop shops. Collectively, they recovered 235 stolen vehicles, conducted nearly 200 auto theft investigations, and made 86 arrests. This has gained local media attention on some of their more significant investigations and recoveries.
These officers have created a model for other law enforcement agencies to follow. Their efforts have made a significant impact in communities effected by auto theft crimes in the central Indiana region.
Photo: Left to right- IMPD Deputy Chief James Waters, IMPD Southeast Commander Dawn Snyder, ISP Colonel Mark French, ISP Lt. Donna Elam, ISP Sgt. Ken Houck, Lt. Col. Larry Turner, IMPD Sgt. Greg Arkin
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