51-year-old man convicted of dealing in meth found hiding in crawlspace

NORTH JUDSON, Ind. -- The Starke County Sheriff's Office reports deputies, along with the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, worked a joint operation at a home in the 2000 south block of 250 West in North Judson.

The report states 51-year-old Rodney Craft, of North Judson, was recently convicted on a Level 2 Felony Dealing in Methamphetamine case and a warrant was issued.

Authorities say Craft is a serious violent felon and was believed to be armed and dangerous.

The report states Craft has a history of resisting and fleeing law enforcement.

Upon arrival, deputies announced themselves over a loudspeaker and were greeted by 37-year-old Kayla Risner. Risner told authorities Craft was not at the residence.

The report states Risner later stated she didn't know if Craft was there. Deputies then searched the residence, and access to the crawlspace was discovered in a bedroom closet.

K9 Mack was deployed after several announcements they were going to search the area.

Authorities say Mack indicated human odor was present. Mack found a paint respirator and what appeared to be a fresh blanket.

The report goes on to state CS Gas was then deployed into the crawlspace area to illicit voluntary compliance.

Mack and officers then entered the crawlspace a second time finding a long blade machete.

The report states officers were unable to safely search the area due to concrete barriers obstructing their view.

A search warrant was then obtained to cut the floor of the home to help find and apprehend Craft.

The report states as the floor was cut, officers saw a person quickly retreat to a different area of the crawlspace.

More CS Gas was used, and Craft exited from a different area of the crawlspace and hid under a deck.

Craft is then said to have yelled out that he had a firearm, and officers would have to shoot him.

Craft was given numerous announcements to surrender over several minutes.

Mack was deployed there and assisted with apprehending Craft who was under the deck behind a piece of siding. Craft was taken into custody and taken to the Starke County Justice Center after being treated at the hospital.

Risner was also taken into custody and preliminarily charged with Assisting a Criminal.