K 9

A California man was arrested Friday after police say almost $500,000 worth of marijuana was discovered in his vehicle. Harry J. Oranges, 25, of Napa was pulled over around 2:30 p.m. near the Elkhart East exit for following too closely. He told the officer he had flown from California to Chicago where he rented the Chevy Tahoe he was driving. He said he was going to New York to look for work. The officer was suspicious of Oranges’ story, so he called for assistance from a K-9 unit.

SOUTH BEND - At a rally in South Bend, supporters stood by their man, one day after Darryl Boykins, South Bend's Police Chief, resigned after allegations of wiretapping. "He was a great man, he is," said Viola Sims with the Kennedy Park Neighborhood Association. "He did a lot for this community. What happened to him is not right. " The city's top cop began his career as a patrolman in 1984. Throughout the 90's, Boykins was promoted to corporal and sergeant of the K-9 unit, and then served as a sergeant and lieutenant of the 1st detail.

Police are investigating an armed break-in that happened Tuesday night in St. Joseph County. The call came in from the 3600 block of Generations Drive, near Douglas Road and Indiana 23, about 9:15 p.m., according to county dispatch. The caller said a man with a gun broke into the home, where two small children were also inside. Few other details were available but there were no immediate reports of injuries. Police, including a K-9 unit, sealed off the area and searched for the suspect.

Indiana State Police report finding nearly 4,000 Ecstasy pills and $10,000 in cash this morning during a traffic stop on the Indiana Toll Road near South Bend. State Trooper Pete Bradley had stopped a 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer near the 71-mile marker when he noticed marijuana inside the car. Bradley then called a K-9 officer to come search the car, leading officers to discover the money in the trunk, along with several baggies filled with Ecstasy pills. Police also found 16 grams of marijuana in the car. State police say the Ecstasy pills have an estimated street value of about $40,000.

FRANKENMUTH, Mich. (AP) — Mid-Michigan police are trying to catch the Grinch who vandalized Bronner's Christmas Wonderland on Christmas Day. Frankenmuth Police Chief Donald Mawer tells The Bay City Times that more than one person was likely in involved in the incident that happened between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. Saturday at the store located about 75 miles north-northwest of Detroit. He said several decorations throughout the property were displaced and "heavily damaged.

SOUTH BEND — A gas station clerk was punched in the face Monday night as two armed men robbed a Portage Road store. Police say the two men entered the Meijer gas station, 3600 Portage Road, about 10:10 p.m., each displaying a handgun. One of the men punched the female clerk in the face before demanding money from the cash register. As the men were leaving the store, police say, they apparently dropped about $30 in stolen cash. A witnesses outside the store told police he saw the two men attempting to pick up the cash.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — According to the St. Joseph County Police Department, the man accused of killing Sgt. James Szuba and his K-9 officer Ricky Saturday night has an extensive crime history. Back in July, WSBT-TV reported on a marijuana bust led by a K-9 unit in Niles that led to the arrest of Shawn Devine, the man involved in Saturday night’s fatal crash, along with two other people. Upon further investigation, Sgt. Bill Redman of the St. Joseph County Police Department said that Devine has been in their system a total of 11 times since 2001.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY — The St. Joseph County prosecutor released details Monday afternoon about the collision that killed Mishawaka Police Cpl. James Szuba and his K-9 partner Ricky. According to officials, Mishawaka Police Captain Tim Spencer was in an unmarked car and saw an SUV going 51 in a 30 zone on Fir Road. He turned his lights and sirens on to pull him over. He reported the suspect took off. After a high-speed chase, the suspect hit a fire hydrant but kept going. Spencer then called for backup.

South Bend -- An event to raise money for the family of fallen Mishawaka police officer Cpl. Jim Szuba, attracted hundreds Sunday night. "It's just so amazing that so many people care, so many people want to be here," said Josh Szuba, the officer's son. Josh's father and his K-9 partner Ricky were killed in the line of duty, after being struck by a suspected drunk driver in January. The event was held at the Club Landing in South Bend and featured four bands, free food, drink specials and raffle items.

MISHAWAKA - Monday is the first day back at a private school near Mishawaka after police say an underwear-clad man broke into the building, badly damaging it. Police say 26-yearold Austin Weinhoft ended up at Covenant Christian School on New Year's Day after escaping from a nearby hospital. Officers had to break down the door and send a K-9 in to capture him. They say he caused extensive damage before he was taken back to the hospital. Cleanup crews worked up to 14-hour days all week to get things ready before kids head to class Monday morning.