The Linton Police Department has two individuals in custody in the investigation into the murder of John P. Chapman. The arrests were made today, Wednesday, March 25. One is a 34-year-old man and the other is a juvenile.

The Linton Police Department has been investigating the murder since at least mid-day Wednesday, March 18, and released limited information on March 19. On March 20, the LPD confirmed the name of the victim. This evening, March 25, LPD Chief Paul Clark released information regarding the arrests.

Brandon Allen Christopher Lee Criss, 34, Linton, was taken into custody this evening, March 25, along with one juvenile. Both were booked into the Greene County Jail on charges related to the murder.

“The Linton Police Department, led by primary investigator Sgt. Logan Hobbs, was assisted by the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, the Jasonville Police Department, Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the Indiana State Police, and the United States Marshal Service,” said LPD Chief Clark.

“These officers worked diligently and extensively investigating this murder, which culminated into arrests tonight.”

The LPD received a report on Wednesday, March 18, about a man at an abandoned house in southeast Linton. Officers responded and found the man was deceased and surrounded by suspicious circumstances.

“Linton Police officers began an investigation after the body of an adult male was discovered on the porch of a vacant residence in Linton. The circumstances at the scene were notably suspicious. The deceased was identified as John P. Chapman, 46, of Linton. With the assistance of the Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators and the Greene County Coroner’s Office, substantial physical evidence was documented and recovered,” said LPD Chief Paul Clark on Friday.

Chief Clark said the circumstances and the results of the subsequent autopsy determined Chapman was the victim.

Court records and records from the files of GreeneStreets indicate Chapman had a court case pending against him for driving while suspended and had been arrested recently for failure to appear in court for a hearing. Otherwise, no significant criminal history was found in an initial check by GreeneStreets.

Today, Chief Clark again asked for information from the public.

“LPD is requesting anyone with additional information related to this murder investigation to contact the Linton Police Department at 812-847-4411 or report anonymous tips to Greene County CrimeStoppers at 812-TIP-LINE,” said Clark.