Staff Report

Franklin Dean Hibshman Jr.

WARSAW — Charges are piling up for a Warsaw man who was recently arrested for three incidents that occurred in a one-month time span.

In the first case, Franklin Dean Hibshman Jr., 33, 111 S. Wood St. Apt. B., Warsaw, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; and possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor. He is charged with domestic battery, a level 6 felony; and criminal recklessness, a class B misdemeanor, in a second case. Hibshman is also charged with resisting law enforcement and possession of a syringe, both level 6 felonies; criminal recklessness, a class A misdemeanor; and reckless driving, a class C misdemeanor, in a third case.

On Feb. 1, a Warsaw Police officer responded to a call regarding a burglary in progress. Hibshman had reported his residential security camera showed a woman inside his home. He identified the woman for officers.

According to court documents, officers searched the home but did not find anyone inside. During the search of the home, a Warsaw officer noticed a smoking device with methamphetamine residue. Hibshman arrived at the residence and said that nothing was missing.

After discussing the incident, officers asked about the parapheranlia. Hibshman consented to a search. Officers found more paraphernalia and several plastic bags with white powder. Hibshman said all of the illegal items belonged to the woman who was in his home. He said he was aware the items were there and that he has used illegal drugs in the past, but denied recently using drugs.

On March 1, a Warsaw Police officer was dispatched to a home regarding a battery report. A woman at the scene said she was in a verbal argument with Hibshman about tax money she received. The argument escalated; when the woman tried to leave, Hibshman allegedly tripped her, causing her to scrape her knee. When she attempted to leave again, Hibshman hit her in the face twice. Two children were at the home during the altercation.

The woman left the home with the children and went to a vehicle. While the group attempted to leave in the vehicle, Hibshman got into the vehicle and attempted to drive away. The two children had not fully got into the vehicle when Hibshman began to drive away, and they were holding onto the door handles and fell while the vehicle was moving.

Hibshman then stopped the vehicle and allowed the woman and children to enter. He drove the group to a remote location so they could argue without anyone hearing.

Officers noticed the woman had bruising on the right side of her face, a laceration on her chin, and road rash on her left knee.

On March 2, a Warsaw Police officer went to assist Indiana Department of Child Services workers at a home. DCS workers said when they were at a location to do a home visit, Hibshman was there. He had an active warrant for his arrest at the time.

The responding officer had prior knowledge about the type of vehicle Hibshman drives. Upon arrival at the scene, the officer noticed Hibshman’s vehicle traveling east in an alley near the area. When ordered to put his hands up, Hibshman raised his right hand but would not raise his left hand. He was given several more commands to put his hands up but did not comply. Hibshman then fled the scene in his vehicle, disregarding several red stoplights and a stop sign. He fled officers in city limits while driving in excess of 90 mph.

The pursuit ended when Hibshman’s vehicle left the road and became stuck in mud.

While searching Hibshman’s vehicle, officers found a syringe. At the time the pursuit occurred, Hibshman was wanted on a warrant from the Feb. 1 case.

Hibshman was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on March 2.