By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – A 24-year-old Elkhart man has been drinking for half of his life. His last binge was too much though after being at his girlfriend's house on Oil City Road in Cassopolis where a domestic dispute erupted. She called police because she was afraid he was going to assault her.
It was April 27 when Cass County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the home when Kyle VanSyckle, 24, of 52054 Del Ru Drive, Elkhart, Ind. was in the driveway when police attempted to stop him. Instead he fled and drove around the house, down Oil City Road and did not stop for police when he ran into the back end of a squad car. This resulted in damage of more than $3,000 to the squad car.
Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court, Judge Michael Dodge said VanSyckle was intoxicated and has had two prior drunk driving offenses. He said, "The court doesn't have all the answers. I can't fix the problem," before imposing a 1-1/2- to-5 year prison term for third-offense operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Court appointed attorney Lawrence Quigley said Van Syckle has had a difficult childhood including alcohol abuse. He asked for another chance on probation so he could spend local time to stay in touch with his family.
Van Syckle said his problems have had to do with alcohol as he has been drinking since he was 12 years old. "It destroyed my life. It took control of my life. I need help."
Van Syckle received credit for time served of 47 days for resisting and obstructing police and fleeing. He is to pay costs of $1,214 and restitution of $3,556.18 for the squad car.
A man and wife team of Edwardsburg each received one year probation for harboring a felon, their son, Joshua Hays. Christine Hagen-Hays, 42, of 68780 Dawn Street, and Rebel Hays, 46, of the same address, received the time. Joshua came to live with them for a few weeks while having marital problems but had failed to appear in Elkhart County Court for an offense when a warrant was issued for failure to appear. A task force came to the door when things didn't go well, and there was much confusion, Dodge noted. There was lack of cooperation and interference from barking pit bulls. During the meantime, Joshua was hiding in the attic and got stuck between the rafters. Police had to use a taser gun on him.
"A jury concluded you were (both) guilty of harboring a felon. He was in the attic and had to be removed. There was a lot of misunderstanding. Joshua asked you to take him in because of marital trouble. He put you and your husband in a difficult situation that resulted in a serious conviction against you," Dodge said. He added that Mrs. Hays served her country in an honorable fashion, the U.S. army, and has never been in trouble. She must pay costs of $1,408. Rebel Hays must also pay costs of $1,408 and has a habitual-third offender status from two prior offenses.
Other sentencings on Friday are as follows:
Jevon Bomer, 22, 314 Grove St., Dowagiac, received 150 days jail for possession with intent to deliver marijuana, habitual second, on Tuthill Street, Dowagiac. He is to pay $185.
Robin Nettleton, 41, 11071 Pioneer St., Marcellus, received two years probation plus 180 days jail for possession of morphine on Feb. 10 and a concurrent two years probation for receiving and concealing stolen property between $1,000 and $20,000. He had stolen a utility trailer, a weed whacker, street signs and other things. He is to pay $1,051 costs.