Check of Suspicious Vehicle in Parke County Yields Two Arrests

Parke County—On Monday afternoon August 20 at approximately 4:35, Indiana State Police Lieutenant Dan Jones and Detective Deanna Jones came across a black 2002 GMC Sonoma pickup with a female passenger, partially in the roadway on Martin Road in southeastern Parke County. A quick check of the truck revealed it was reported stolen from Boone County Indiana.

The elusive talking female was finally identified as 38-year-old Ashley M. Albertson of Indianapolis, IN. She was found to be wanted on warrants from Marion and Hendricks County. 

Lt. Jones searched the immediate area and found a male elevated approximately 60 feet in a tree supposedly actively trimming branches. Minutes later, Master Trooper Jeremy Lewis and Parke County Sheriff’s Deputy Cory Hutchins arrived to assist.  

As the male finally agreed to come down, he became entangled still substantially elevated in the tree. The male was rescued by members of a private tree trimming business requested by ISP, along with Bellmore Fire/Rescue members. The man was identified as 44-year-old Christopher S. Harsin of Indianapolis, IN. He was found to be wanted on warrants from both Montgomery and Hendricks Counties in Indiana. 

A search of the stolen truck and Harsin’s personal items, yielded approximately one gram of suspected Heroin, approximately six grams of suspected Methamphetamine, approximately nineteen grams of suspected Marijuana, sixteen suspected controlled substance pills, numerous syringes, various items of drug paraphernalia, and two handguns. 

M/Trooper Jeremy Lewis incarcerated Harsin on the two warrants and additional charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, and Possession of Marijuana. 

Detective Jones incarcerated Albertson on the two warrants. No local charges were added.  

Also assisting were ISP Sergeant Jared Nicoson and Senior Trooper Tim Rader and Parke County EMS. 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.