Convicted Starke County man taken into custody after hiding from law enforcement

Craft is described as a serious violent felon and was believed to be armed and dangerous with a history of resisting and fleeing law enforcement.

A Starke County man recently convicted on a drug charge was found and apprehended by law enforcement.

About 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Starke County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, worked a joint operation at a residence in the 2000 South of 250 West in North Judson. Rodney Craft, 51, of North Judson, was recently convicted on a Level 2 Felony Dealing in Methamphetamine case and a warrant was issued. After approximately five hours Craft was taken into custody.

Craft is described as a serious violent felon and was believed to be armed and dangerous with a history of resisting and fleeing law enforcement.

Officers announced themselves over a loud speaker and were eventually greeted by Kayla Risner, 37. Risner stated Craft was not at the residence. She later stated she did not know if Craft was at the residence.

The residence was searched. An access to the crawl space was discovered in a bedroom closet. K9 Mack was deployed after several announcements to search the area. K9 Mack indicated that human odor was present located a paint respirator and what appeared to be a fresh blanket.

CS gas was deployed into the crawl space area. K9 Mack and officers then entered the crawl space a second time locating a long blade machete. Officers were unable to safely search the area due to concrete barriers obstructing view.

A search warrant was obtained to cut the floor of the residence to assist in the search and apprehension of the fugitive. As the floor was cut officers saw a subject quickly retreating to a different area of the crawl space.

 Additional CS gas was utilized. Craft exited from a different area of the crawl space and concealed himself under a deck. Craft yelled out that he possessed a firearm and officers would have to shoot him.

Craft was then given numerous announcements to surrender over several minutes. K9 Mack was deployed and assisted with apprehending Craft as he was concealing himself under the deck behind a piece of siding.

Craft was transported to the Starke County Justice Center after being treated at the hospital. Risner was taken into custody and preliminarily charged with assisting a criminal.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Knox Fire Department and Starke County EMS.