Westfield Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Battery in Tipton

TIPTON, IN - On the evening of Wednesday, May 20, 2009, a criminal investigation by Indiana State Police Detective Tony Frawley has resulted in the arrest of Richard E. Dell, 57, 1632 E. 191st Westfield, IN, on a class D felony charge for sexual battery. 

Detective Frawley started his investigation at the request of the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department. This evening, at approximately 5:10 p.m., Tipton County Communications was contacted about a probable sexual battery of an 11-year-old Tipton girl.  Detective Frawley’s investigation revealed that Dell was purportedly observed touching the girl in an alley near her Tipton home.

Dell was confronted by a witness and fled the area. Later in the evening, he was located in the city of Westfield by Westfield police officers who transported him back to Tipton County. Dell is now incarcerated in the Tipton County Jail with a bond of $7,500. 

Dell is a registered sex offender and was supposedly visiting family members in the Tipton area. 

This is an active criminal investigation. If anyone has information about this case they are asked to contact Detective Tony Frawley by calling the Indiana State Police Peru Post at 1-800-382-0689.