Winona Lauds Citizen Who Helped Officer Subdue Suspect
Winona Lauds Citizen Who Helped Officer Subdue Suspect
Posted
Gary Gerard-ggerard@timesuniononline.com
Winona Lauds Citizen Who Helped Officer Subdue SuspectWINONA LAKE – Matt Light didn’t hesitate to jump off his bike and pitch in when he saw a Winona Lake Police Department officer in need of help.
For his efforts, the Winona Lake Town Council and the police department presented a certificate of merit to the Winona Lake resident.
WLPD officer Riley Arvanitis was on patrol March 16 when he pulled over a vehicle for speeding. Video of the incident was shown during the town council meeting.
When Arvanitis ran a check on the driver’s license, it turned out there was a warrant out for his arrest. He asked the driver to get out the of the car and instituted a search. The officer noticed a bulge in the driver’s pocket. It was at this point the driver decided to run.
The officer bear-hugged the driver and wrestled him to the ground. He said he was struggling to get both of the driver’s arms behind his back to handcuff him.
That’s when Light jumped off his bike, asking, “Do you need help?” Light then helped Arvanitis gain control of both the suspects arms.
“Without any hesitation whatsoever, he hopped off his bike and helped me get (the driver’s) left arm under control,” Arvanitis said.
“We as a department kind of decided we wanted to recognize Matt tonight, because, if you see in that video how many cars just drove by and didn’t even think twice about stopping and asking if everything was alright,” Arvanitis said, adding, “He did, and that’s happening less and less in today’s world.”
The council approved an expenditure of $5,900 for a power washer for the street department. The expenditure needed council approval because it exceeded the $5,000 limit for items handled in monthly claims.
The following “Winona Happenings were announced:
• April 20 – Easter Egg Hunts at Winona Lake Limitless Park
11 a.m. – “Special Friends”
1 p.m. – Ages 0-2
1:30 p.m. – Ages 3-5
2 p.m. – Ages 6-10
• April 27, 9 a.m. – Joe’s Kid’s Splatter Dash at the Park
• May 2, 12 p.m. – National Day of Prayer at Winona Heritage Room
• May 4, 8 a.m. Leesburg Elementary PTO 5K
• May 5, 7 p.m. – Worship Arts France Tour Concert at Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church
• May 7, 4 p.m. – Winona Lake Sculpture Dedication
• May14 & 15, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. & 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Community
• Planting Days at Winona Lake Limitless Park
• May 14, 4 p.m. – Winona Queen Sculpture Dedication
• May 17 to 19 – Bike Festival in The Village at Winona
• May 21, 4 p.m. – Billy Sunday Sculpture Dedication.
Town Street Superintendent Tom Miller told the council that he rented a dump trailer to help clean up brush around town. He suggested it would be useful for the town to own one and said he would bring quotes to the next meeting.
Two Winona Lake residents – David Illingworth and Art Gakstatter – informed the council that the walking bridge is in need of repair and could pose liability issues.
Town manager Craig Allebach said the town was aware and were assessing possible solutions, including replacing the bridge.
