MILLERSBURG — Four local teens were among 32 individuals found to be under the age of 21 at a party near Millersburg New Year’s Day.

Amy Helmuth, 18, Etna Green; Micah Chupp, 18, Milford; Joshua Tucco, 20, Cromwell; and Dalton Haab, 18, Syracuse, were issued tickets for illegal consumption of alcoholic beverages and released at the scene.

Other individuals included Aaron Hegland, 18, Bristol; Brody Long, 18, Middlebury; Jensen Janowski, 19, Middlebury; Megan Dean, 18, Elkhart; Sophia Hochstetler, 18, Goshen; Mabel Thomas, 18, Middlebury; Cameron Frandsen, 18, Elkhart; Savanna Richardson, 18, Goshen; Mario Rodriguez, 19, Nappanee; Matilda Stillson, 18, Nappanee; Michelle Hacias, 18, Cincinnati, Ohio; Gavin Gage, 19, Shipshewana; Carson LaGuardia, 18, Nappanee; Dylan Hopkins, 18, Bristol; Katie Kleppinger, 19, Ossian; Payton Laley, 19, Ossian; and Joshua Troxel, 19, New Paris.

Officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department responded to several anonymous reports of a loud party at a residence in the 13000 block of CR 44 in the early hours of New Year’s Day. Upon arrival, officers found multiple subjects under the age of 21 who had been consuming alcoholic beverages.

Of the 32 individuals found to be under the age of 21, 11 were under the age of 18 and released to their parents. The remaining 21 individuals who were over the age of 18, but under the age of 21, were issued tickets and released.

The arrests were made by the Sheriff’s Teenage Alcohol Reduction Team. These S.T.A.R. members assisting with the investigation include Patrolmen Matt Newman, Erick Schuman, Jesse Reust and Daci Campbell. The S.T.A.R. team is comprised of officers from the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department and its focus is to target and reduce underage drinking and smoking. S.T.A.R. members continue to deter, intervene and detect underage alcohol violations by educating the community and taking a proactive approach to deterrence and intervention when needed.