Topeka, IN-A 28-year-old man from LaGrange was arrested this afternoon following a search of the Topeka area by numerous law enforcement agencies after he allegedly made threats to another person in the parking lot of a Topeka area business. 

According to Indiana State Police Detective Jeff Boyd, at approximately 2:10 pm, the LaGrange County Sheriff Department received an emergency call alleging that Joas Eicher, 28 from LaGrange had directly threatened another man, indicating that he was armed with a handgun, in the parking lot of a Topeka business before causing damage to a vehicle and leaving the property on foot.  Police officers from the State Police, Topeka Police, LaGrange County Sheriff, Noble County Sheriff, Ligonier Police, Shipshewana Police and Rome City Police Departments converged in the area in an attempt to locate Eicher.  The business was locked down during the search.

Boyd said that at approximately 3:00 pm, Eicher was located in downtown Topeka and taken into custody.  He was not armed with a handgun.  He was taken to and incarcerated in the LaGrange County Jail on the following preliminary charges:

•  Attempted Aggravated Battery, Class B Felony
• Intimidation, Class D Felony
• Criminal Mischief, Class A Misdemeanor

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Thursday in the LaGrange County Superior Court.