POLICE NEWS: Suspect accused of pistol-whipping, robbing victim

Jun. 25—A South Bend man is charged with robbing a man of more than $1,000 in Goshen about a year and a half ago.

Lasean Green, 31, was charged with a Level 3 felony count of armed robbery in a case filed Friday.

Green held up and pistol whipped a victim near the Cabin Coffee Co. shop as they met for what was set up as a mobile phone sale on Feb. 2, 2020.

The victim told police he had arranged to purchase two phones from Green, nicknamed "Madblock," via Facebook. While waiting for the meet at a location, the victim alleged Green messaged him, saying his car was towed after a traffic stop and then asked if they could instead meet up at the Dairy Queen along Lincolnway East, according to details in the probable cause affidavit in the case.

As the victim started walking that way, he came up to a car at Douglas and 15th streets, behind Cabin Coffee. There, Green, as a passenger, got out of the car, pointed a gun at the victim and demanded his money. Police said the victim was carrying $1,320 to be used to purchase the two phones, the affidavit shows.

While being held up, the victim refused to hand over the money, so Green allegedly pistol-whipped him. A second man then got out of the car and became involved in the robbery, helping take the money and a phone from the victim.

Investigators connected Green as the suspect by using a warrant to search his Facebook profile, which brought up conversations with the victim about the phone sale and about the car he was in. The search also revealed messaging about Green owing a drug debt, according to the affidavit.

Investigators also reviewed security camera video from Cabin Coffee, which showed the alleged robbery at 15th and Douglas streets, and the car at the scene matched descriptions of a car associated with Green, but belonging to a woman in a home neighboring Green's in South Bend. When police went to the address, they saw Green standing next to a car matching the one from the video, according to the affidavit.

The victim also identified Green from a photo array, the affidavit shows.

The case was filed in Elkhart County Circuit Court. A warrant was also issued for Green's arrest.

ARRESTS

—Abrahan Ramirez Temaj, 39, West Palm Beach, Florida, was arrested by Goshen police and jailed on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and driving without a license following a traffic stop in the 2000 block of Lincolnway East around 10 p.m. Thursday.

—Marisa Castro, 26, 307 E. Water St., Ligonier, was arrested by Elkhart County police and jailed on a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated after police responded to a crash where Castro had reportedly driven into a ditch at C.R. 33 and C.R. 50 around 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

—Natasha Beach, 38, 451 E. Centennial St., Nappanee, was arrested by Elkhart County police and jailed on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a crash after police responded to a report alleging Beach had crashed into a vehicle at Lantz Boulevard and C.R. 3 and then drove off around 1:50 p.m. Thursday.

—Alexander Kleinsmith, 35, 21878 Angela Drive, Goshen, was arrested by Goshen police and jailed on a charge of battery as well as for a warrant after police responded to an incident at the Best Western Inn, 900 Lincolnway East, around 11:10 a.m. Thursday.

—Adam Goff, 22, 30120 Old U.S. 20, Elkhart, was arrested by Elkhart County police and jailed on a charge of invasion of privacy around 5 p.m. Wednesday after police said he violated a no contact order stemming from an incident that had occurred in Nappanee.

—Roberto Escamilla, 35, 706 Vernon St., Nappanee, was arrested by Goshen police on a charge of possession of marijuana following a traffic stop in the 900 block of West Pike Street around 1 p.m. Wednesday. Escamilla was released at the scene with a citation to appear in court.

—Valentin Lara, 33, Goshen, was arrested by Goshen police and jailed on a charge of domestic battery after police responded to an incident in the 400 block of East Washington Street around 3:40 a.m. Wednesday.

CRASH