UPDATE: Police Investigate Possible Kidnapping
Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department detectives investigated a possible kidnapping and the man sought in a manhunt Friday was named as a suspect.
Police were initially called at 7:28 a.m. Friday to a home in the 5600 block of South Woodland Lane, Warsaw. The alleged victim was Tanner Leonard, 20, a resident of the home.
Although police have not released any details, the initial police report named Thomas Edward Skeens, 43, of Claypool, as a suspect in the case.
Skeens was initially wanted by police Thursday night after they went to serve warrants on him for a class D felony charge of possession of methamphetamine precursors with intent to manufacture, and a misdemeanor charge of battery. Skeens, however, was not at the residence. On Friday, officers received information on his potential whereabouts and, with the initial information of an alleged kidnapping, the search led to a manhunt in Miami County. (See story)
Scanner traffic during the search for Skeens Friday indicated a man, allegedly Leonard, was held against his will by Skeens. However, initial information provided to officers that Skeens had either abducted or criminally confined an individual were determined to be inaccurate, according to KCSD Detective Lt. Todd Sautter.
Skeens was arrested shortly after 5 p.m. Friday in Silver Lake after he eluded police from several agencies.