On April 25, at approximately 9:29 a.m., officers from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 911 call reporting a possible death at 123 Clear Creek Drive, Lafontaine.Upon entering the house, officers found the body of Jordon Richards, 22, who lived at the residence.
A joint criminal investigation was initiated with detectives from the Indiana State Police Peru District and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department. Evidence indicated that multiple firearms and United States currency were stolen from Richards’ residence.
An autopsy revealed Richards’ death was a homicide caused by a gunshot wound.
During the course of the investigation, detectives developed enough probable cause to be granted Wabash Circuit Court arrest warrants for Kaleb Marin, 21 and Corey Kelch, 22, both from Marion. The pair was wanted for felony counts of murder and robbery. On April 29, Marin died in a two vehicle crash in southern Wabash County. One of the stolen guns from Richards’ home was found inside the car in which Marin was a passenger. Officers have been searching for Kelch.
On Friday, a citizen’s tip to the Marion Police Department, reported that Kelch was at a home on 1813 East 38th Street, Marion. Further investigation, by officers from the Marion Police Department and the Indiana State Police, revealed that Kelch was most likely inside the 38th Street residence.
Investigators applied for and were issued a Grant Circuit Court search warrant for the residence on 1813 East 38th Street in Marion. Friday at approximately 3:43 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Marion Police surrounded the home. Officers from the Indiana State Police SWAT Team utilized a bullhorn to request Kelch come out of the home and give up peacefully. Kelch eventually came out of the residence and was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported and incarcerated in the Wabash County Jail on an arrest warrant for murder and robbery.
Information about this case can be reported by calling the Indiana State Police Peru Post at 1-800-382-0689 (inside Indiana) or 765-473-6666. Information can also be provided to the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department by calling 1-260-563-8891.
No further information will be released at this time.