At about 10:15 p.m., Friday, Pulaski County Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pickens conducted a traffic stop in the area of Spring and Monticello (U.S. 35) streets in Winamac. The deputy reported the driver of the suspect vehicle was operating too close to another vehicle southbound on Monticello Street. He pulled the vehicle to a stop and approached to discover the adult driver and three juveniles inside.

The sheriff’s police report said during his initial investigation, Pickens learned the driver had a permit violation. The deputy also located additional probable cause evidence of other possible crimes which led to a search of the vehicle.

Police report that following a search, some illegal contraband was located and identified. Also found was a large sum of cash, an air soft gun which was modified in appearance and several other suspicious items.

Then as the officers on the scene were wrapping up the stop, Pulaski County Dispatch contacted Pickens and relayed information from the Fulton and Starke county police about the robberies and the suspects they were seeking. The dispatchers had been monitoring radio reports and gathering information on the incidents.

After obtaining clothing descriptions and other significant details of the robberies, Pickens believed he had enough probable cause to detain the four individuals from the traffic stop

The vehicle occupants were all identified. The three juvenile occupants are from out-of-(Pulaski) county. Their names were not released in the police press release. No information about the robberies was released pending further investigation.

The four suspects were turned over to the Fulton County police, Rochester police, Knox City Police and Starke County Sheriff’s Department.