Father, suspect in Friday Amber Alert taken into custody

A suspect related to an early Frida morning Amber Alert has been apprehended.

Dwayne Clemons was taken into custody from a North Judson home Friday evening.

The incident began to unfold on Thursday when the Starke County Sheriff’s Office responded to Northwest Starke Emergency Room regarding a female victim who reported that she had been confined and assaulted by her husband, Dwayne Clemons of North Judson. The victim stated that after the assault, Clemons dropped her off at the hospital and fled the area with their two-year-old son, who was also present in the vehicle during the incident.

The victim informed officers that Clemons was armed with a .45-caliber pistol and had threatened her with the firearm. Detectives with the Starke County Sheriff’s Office drafted a search warrant, which was executed by the Sheriff’s Office Strategic Response Team. Neither Clemons nor the child were located at that time; however, evidence was discovered supporting the claim that Clemons was armed.

Throughout the overnight hours, officers followed up on multiple leads and checked several locations without success.

On Friday, the Starke County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the FBI; FBI GRIT Task Force; U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force; Knox Police Department; LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office; Jasper County Sheriff’s Office; Marshall County Sheriff’s Office; Starke County Sheriff’s Dispatch; Starke County EMS; Starke County EMA; Indiana Department of Corrections Police (Parole Division); Indiana State Police; and the North Judson Police Department.

Just after 7:30 a.m., while Starke County Sheriff’s deputies were enroute to conduct a welfare check at a residence in the 5200 block of South A Street in North Judson, Dispatch received a call from an individual at that residence advising that the child was there. Upon arrival, deputies positively identified the child, who was then turned over to the Indiana Department of Child Services.

While on scene, deputies received information that Clemons was inside a residence in the 2600 block of Donna Street. The Starke County Sheriff’s Office Strategic Response Team, U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, FBI, FBI GRIT Task Force, Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Judson Police Department responded and established a perimeter. A negotiator from the Starke County Sheriff’s Office made several attempts to contact Clemons by phone and loudspeaker without success. Chemical agents were then deployed into the residence by the U.S. Marshals Service after making several announcements on the loud speaker for Clemons to exit the residence.

Clemons exited the rear of the residence and was taken into custody without incident on a nationwide parole warrant with other possible charges pending.

Sheriff Jack Rosa expressed his gratitude to all assisting agencies for their partnership, which led to a positive outcome. “Anytime we are able to safely apprehend an individual who has demonstrated a propensity for violence, it is a success,” said Sheriff Rosa. “We are especially thankful that the child was located and is safe. Our established partnerships continue to play a critical role in keeping Starke County safe.”

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office also thanks members of the public who provided information and expressed support for the officers and agencies involved. Your partnership is greatly appreciated.