Rensselaer Police Department

08/24/2026

Reminder of Upcoming Meeting

The Jasper County Sheriff's Department would like to announce a community outreach event scheduled for September 2, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm CST at the Jasper County Fairgrounds West building located at 2671 W. Clark St. Rensselaer, IN. The event is to share some educational information regarding FLOCK cameras in our community. Our goal is to provide some actual facts about the usage of FLOCK's in our community and to dispel rumors on how the "internet" thinks we use them. We will have officer's from other agencies discussing success stories with these investigatory tools. We will also field some questions from the public.

So, if you are interested in hearing the truth behind these cameras, please join us at the community outreach event!

08/20/2026

On August 15, 2026, the Rensselaer Police Department, with assistance from the Jasper County Sheriff's Department, investigated reports of counterfeit currency being used at local gas stations by two juveniles. Jasper County Deputies were able to locate the suspect vehicle that had the two juveniles inside, as well as twenty year old Nathan Hornbeck Jr. The juveniles were determined to be in town from the Chicago area and visiting Mr. Hornbeck.

While no arrests were made at that time, a search warrant was applied for and executed on August 16, 2026, at the residence of Mr. Hornbeck, located in the 400 block of N. McKinley in Rensselaer. During the search, officers recovered numberous counterfeit $100 bills, as well as a handgun and a rifle in Mr. Hornbeck's bedroom. As a convicted felon, Mr. Hornbeck is prohibited from possessing fi****ms.

Mr. Hornbeck was taken into custody and transported to the Jasper County Jail on charges of Counterfeiting, a Level 6 Felony, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, a Level 5 Felony.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges may be filed in the future.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

08/18/2026

08/10/2026

White Oak Construction has been granted a permit to solicit door to door for the next two weeks.

08/07/2026

The Jasper Newton Foundation has a community support network established to help those in need. www.jnsupport.org may be of assistance

Connecting People to Resources. Strengthening Our Community. The Jasper Newton Community Support Network helps individuals and families find local resources, navigate services, and build pathways toward stability. Get Assistance Download Referral Form  Mission Connecting people to resources, supp...

08/06/2026

*** UPDATE ***

Suspect has been located and in custody.

*****CAUTION*****

The White County Sheriff’s Department, Jasper County Sheriff’s Department and Re*****on Police Department are searching the Re*****on, IN. area for Billy Ard, Date of Birth 03/15/1971.

Billy is 6’-00”, 220, blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a grey t-shirt. Billy currently has a white beard.

Billy was involved in a physical confrontation with law enforcement on today’s date at 9:26am CST and last seen in the area of 309 W. South St. Re*****on, IN. where he fled on foot.

It is unknown if Billy is armed so DO NOT APPROACH if you see him.

If anyone has information on Billie’s whereabouts, please contact the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department immediately.

07/31/2026

07/30/2026

***UPDATE***
We are aware that the picture is from the Good To Go. The subject was dropped off at that location and came inside the store prior to walking over to the area of Taco Bell and Family Express.

He has been identified and we hope to have charges filed in the very near future. Updates will be given when more information is available. We still ask that you call if you have any information that may be helpful. ****


We are investigating a carjacking that occurred at the Family Express near 114 and I65 this morning just before 10:00 a.m. The victim was parked at the gas pumps when a black male approached on foot and ordered the victim to give him her car and implied that he was armed. He took the vehicle and fled north on I65.

Rensselaer Dispatch contacted the Indiana State Police to search the interstate for the vehicle while Rensselaer Officers conducted the investigation at the scene with assistance from Jasper County. The suspect was later involved in a crash on the toll road near the Illinois State line but fled the area on foot before officers arrived.

The investigation is ongoing and progressing at this time. We are asking anyone who may have seen the subject in the attached picture to contact the Rensselaer Police Department. He is described as a black male with a thin build wearing a gray hoodie and sweatpants. He also had a black backpack and was wearing a surgical mask at the time of the robbery.

A higher quality picture will be added when it is available.

Please call 219-866-7602 if you have any information.