From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

Editor’s note: This is a retrospective article that runs a few times a month on InkFreeNews.

June 16, 1979 — A group of Backwater Lake residents have charged Kosciusko County police with illegal search and seizure and brutality in connection with a beer party bust in their neighborhood a week ago today.

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society.

Sheriff C. Alan Rovenstine, in response, denied one allegation and said an investigation has started in the other.

Twelve neighborhood residents gathered at the home of Max and Brenda Snyder, Rt. 1, North Webster, Thursday night to discuss what they contend was a raid on an “orderly” beer party last Saturday night. The complaining residents were all adults, and until the police arrived shortly around 10:30 p.m. Saturday, most were not in attendance at the party.

Six of the Backwater Lake residents said they witnessed a county police officer hit a youth in the rib cage three to four times with a long, heavy flashlight while two policemen held the prisoner. Three of six firmly identified the officer as County Patrolman Tom Brindle, and charged it was an act of “police brutality.”

“I thought they were going to kill him,” Snyder commented. “It was uncalled for,” Mrs. Becky Ousley added. “It really scared me to death,” said Sue Davis, who owns the property where the two-day party was held.

Rovenstine, in an interview Friday afternoon, admitted, “I am aware that happened. We are investigating it.” The sheriff was not at the scene last week, but has talked to several of his officers who were. Asked what action, if any, would be taken, he said, “At this time, I don’t know.”

The neighbors allege the incident occurred after County Police Lt. Rich Mikel began to confiscate one keg of beer for evidence. As he started to drag it toward the road, several party-goers cried out in protest and began tossing cups of beer (police said it was also cans and bottles, but the neighbors disagree).

Rick Allen Waite, 22, of Syracuse, and Timothy Wayne Beining, 21, of Ligonier, were apparently most resistant. The neighbors allege while a party-goer they didn’t recognize (believed to be Beining) was being dragged toward a squad car by two officers (Mikel and Richard Monk), Brindle approached from the front and struck him three or four times in the ribs with his flashlight, then pulled him onto the road.

Five juveniles and four young adults, plus the keg of beer, were placed in police cars and taken to the jail. Two others were booked at the county jail later in the week.

June 15, 1978 — The new Pizza Hut at 502 N. Detroit St., Warsaw, is open today following the official “pie-cutting” conducted by Mayor H. Dale Tucker Wednesday night.

June 16, 1972 — Indiana’s newest luxury campground will open near Pierceton Saturday.

Under franchise with Jellystone Park Campgrounds Ltd. of Wisconsin, and with permission of Hanna Barbera Productions Inc., Yogi Bear, Ranger Smith, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear will welcome campers to the new park.

A grand opening and open house is planned June 17 at Jellystone Park. Ranger Smith is really Keith Horn, a Warsaw businessman.

– Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels