Indiana Conservation Officers responded to a call of theft and battery after 18 year-old Willis R. Martindale III of Dugger was found injured on the side of a rural road at or about 10:00 p.m. on July 14th. 18 year-old William E. Jeffrey of Dugger, 25 year-old Kristine L. Nichols of Linton and 25 year-old William C. Edmondson III of Linton were arrested and are facing multiple felony drug, theft, and battery related charges. The investigation stemmed from a passerby who found Martindale battered along County Road 400 South near T Lake in Dugger. Martindale had sustained a broken nose, several bruises and lacerations to his face. He informed officers he was driven from Dugger to the area by two men and a woman, where he was then allegedly strangled and beaten over the head multiple times with a handgun. Martindale reported that the suspects stole $1000 in cash from him and a backpack valued at $790 before leaving him alongside the road. Indiana Conservation Officers checked several houses in Greene, Sullivan, and Knox counties while attempting to locate the vehicle and three suspects. All three were located and arrested in a residence in Bicknell. Nearly $600 in cash and 4.3 ounces of marijuana divided into several individual bags were also recovered at the residence. Bicknell City Police Department, Vincennes Police Department, and Jasonville Police Department also assisted with the investigation.
