INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A man is in custody after Indianapolis police connected him to a series of robberies, including one armed robbery where he stole wings and cheesy bread from a Domino’s driver.

Laurens Jean Francois, 22, faces three charges relating to theft and robbery for the robbery string that started mid-July.

On July 19, a Domino’s delivery driver reported to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department that they’d been robbed at gunpoint while trying to deliver food on Whitehaven Road right off of North High School Road.

Three days later, officers responded to a business on North High School that had been robbed of nearly $2,000 by an armed suspect who later fled on foot.

After reviewing security footage and using other “investigative techniques,” IMPD named Francois a suspect.

He was tracked down on Wednesday and was pulled over in a traffic stop, where police say they spotted a firearm in plain sight. A later search of Francois’ home located an AR 15 pistol and ammo, a ski mask, and a black Domino’s Pizza delivery bag.

Francois was taken into custody and is being held at the Marion County jail without bond. He was due in court for a hearing Friday morning.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Safety is a top priority for the organizers of the Indiana State Fair that starts Friday.

Before anyone takes a spin on the Ferris wheel or hops on a roller coaster, nine inspectors from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security this week were assuring the 50 rides were set up correctly and that the safety features were working.

Von Scott, an elevator inspector and amusement ride inspector for Homeland Security, said, “We’re making sure that the stop switches are working properly. We’re making sure that all of the seat belts are in working order, any sharp edges are taken care of. We don’t want anybody getting cut, hurt, pinched, so we check all of that type of stuff.”

“One of the main things I like to look at is the fencing to ensure that the fence hasn’t gotten too close to the ride. We don’t want parents high-fiving their kids and then the kid grabs a hold and pulls them off the ride. That’s why we have to got make sure the seats are working properly and the fencing is out properly.”

The 2024 Indiana State Fair had an attendance of 854,236 people, an increase from the 2023 attendance of 840,414, even with the 2024 fair being three days shorter. The biggest attendance, since records dating back to 1988, was 978,296 in 2013.

LeRoy Lewis III, director of community and media engagement at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, said Thursday, “This year, we have the Big Top Circus coming back with us, Wolves of the World, the Vinyl Revival, which is a take on album cover art, and we have so much happening of course here in the midway where fun always happens.”

“There are around 850,000 people every year, but this year we’re hoping to reach that and surpass it. Last year, we were pretty close at 854,000 and if we can meet that mark and surpass it, we’ll be happy.”

What should people know before they go? “Check your weather. Make sure you have your plan together. There so much to see here at the fairgrounds and if you spend the whole day with us, we don’t want you to miss anything,” Lewis said.

News 8’s Gregg Montgomery contributed to this report.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — July is closing out on a gloomy and damp note after we dealt with early morning heavy rain and lingering afternoon showers. This ongoing transition towards rewarding fresh air will complete itself entering August.

Thursday night: We’re eyeing our coolest night in just over three weeks with clearing skies and a northeasterly breeze. Lows will drop into the upper 50s to low 60s.

Friday: Enjoy a fantastic open to August with below normal temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and a northeasterly breeze. The only hiccup with tomorrow’s forecast will be hazy skies due to the return of wildfire smoke aloft. This is expected to stay mainly elevated, but we’ll monitor how it progresses tomorrow. For those heading to opening day of the Indiana State Fair tomorrow, enjoy the pleasant air that is ahead.

Saturday: It will be equally as amazing weather-wise for Saturday with sunshine, comfortable air, and no rain in sight. Highs look to top out in the upper 70s to low 80s.

7-Day Forecast: Sunday will be another great day for our region and for those planning to be outdoors. Next week will feature our next pattern change in which we see the muggy meter tick back up into the uncomfortable range. Temperatures will rise back into the mid 80s by next Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indianapolis Colts signed cornerbacks Tre Herndon and Duke Shelley on Thursday.

This comes after Colts cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents both sustained hamstring injuries earlier this week.

Jones was carted off during practice on Tuesday with a hamstring injury. Brents did not practice on Tuesday.

Jones, Brents, and rookie Justin Walley were in a competition for a starting cornerback spot.

Herndon is a seven year NFL veteran. He played just one game in 2024, with the New Orleans Saints. From 2019-2023, he played in at least 15 games in four of the five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He has three career interceptions.

Shelley is a six year NFL veteran. He, like Herndon, played just one game in 2024. Shelley was with the New York Giants in 2024, Los Angeles Rams in 2023 (11 games), Minnesota Vikings in 2022 (11 games), and played with the Chicago Bears for three seasons from 2019-2021 (30 total games).

He has one career interception.

The Colts get back to practice at training camp on Thursday night, practicing from 8-10 p.m. at Grand Park in Westfield.

More Colts coverage

Anthony Richardson Sr. opens up about dealing with pressure

Colts’ Michael Pittman Jr. puts Tyler Warren through off-field ‘test’

Colts Braden Smith in ‘spectacular place’ after mental health struggles

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — IndyCar team owners on Thursday said Fox Corp.’s purchase of a minority stake in IndyCar’s parent company would further strengthen the series.

Penske Entertainment, which owns the the IndyCar Series itself as well as Indianapolis Motor Speedway, announced Thursday morning that Fox Corp., the parent company of Fox Sports, had purchased a one-third stake in the company. Officials did not disclose details but the Wall Street Journal reported the deal was valued from $125 million-135 million.

Penske Entertainment is part of Roger Penske’s Penske Corp. but is separate from Team Penske, which fields drivers Josef Newgarden, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin in the series.

IndyCar teams told News 8 they were thrilled by the deal. Juncos Hollinger Racing co-owner Brad Hollinger said IndyCar viewership and social media engagement with people ages 18 to 34 is already way up, and the series is working to reach markets where it hasn’t competed and people who aren’t racing fans. Hollinger said the deal could mean more venues and further emphasis on off-track engagement.

“I think the fans are going to have an even more expanded experience over the race weekend. There are going to be even more activities and events for all ages,” he said. “To tap into (Fox’s) creative juices and their ability to engage digitally I think portends extraordinarily well for the sport.”

Hollinger said a combination of close finishes and a variety of tracks — superspeedways, short ovals, road courses and street circuits — mean the sport has exciting racing to offer fans and Fox has done a good job of promoting it.

Statements

“FOX has been a game changer for INDYCAR this season as reflected in the TV ratings. Their investment in our sport is phenomenal and their commitment offers incredible opportunities for the INDYCAR Series, its teams and the sponsors both current and prospective. Roger Penske’s vision for our sport is far-reaching and every INDYCAR team should be thrilled by this news as both my father and I are.”

Larry Foyt, AJ Foyt Racing

“This is great news for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, FOX, the teams and all involved. Fox has done an awesome job broadcasting and marketing the series this season, and I don’t think we’ve seen everything they’re planning and capable of quite yet. Our Arrow McLaren team works closely with Fox and Indycar to promote our drivers and the races and we’re excited to do even more for our fans.”

Tony Kanaan, Arrow McLaren Team Principal and 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) — The $12 million estate of the late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been listed for sale, offering a unique opportunity to own a piece of Indiana history, according to a news release from DeVries Global in New York City.

The gated property spans 9.4 acres and is listed by The Decatur Group of Century 21 Scheetz. The estate is adjacent to the Crooked Stick Golf Club.

The main home of the estate boasts over 24,000 square feet of refined living space.

In addition to the main house, there are two standalone guest homes: The Cabin, a newly built 2,700-square-foot retreat with three bedrooms, and three and a half baths, and The Cottage, which includes two bedrooms and two baths.

Indoor amenities of the estate include a full-size basketball court, an indoor pool pavilion, a home theater, and a speakeasy.

There are also nanny’s quarters equipped with a full kitchen.

Outdoor features include a resort-style pool and entertainment area, a tennis court with a viewing pavilion, a zen garden, a children’s play area, and a private Par-3 golf hole.

The estate also offers garage space, including a six-car main garage and a two-car gatehouse garage.

This story was formatted for WISHTV.com using AI-assisted tools. Our editorial team reviews and edits all content published to ensure it meets our journalistic standards for accuracy and fairness.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A 34-year-old Indianapolis man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for a series of armed robberies targeting six businesses in the city, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release issued Thursday.

The release said Javonte Smith pleaded guilty to a crime spree from Nov. 21, 2023, to Dec. 2, 2023, at two Family Dollar stores, a McDonald’s restaurant, two Walmart stores, and a Kroger grocery. He stole $14,797.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers on Dec. 2, 2023, caught Smith at a Motel 6 following the final robbery at the Kroger. He was wearing clothing that matched surveillance footage from the robberies. Officers found disguises and a black Taurus handgun in Smith’s vehicle, as well as keys to a stolen GMC Terrain.

Smith’s prior convictions include resisting law enforcement, fraud, robbery, and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm.

Statements

“This defendant terrorized hard-working people just trying to do their jobs and earn a living. Thanks to the swift work of our law enforcement partners, his violent crime spree was brought to an end, and he will now face serious federal prison time. This office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of repeat offenders who use firearms to commit violence in our communities.”

Tom Wheeler, U.S. attorney for the Indianapolis-based office for the Southern District of Indiana

“This sentence reflects the serious consequences awaiting those who choose violence and intimidation to commit their crimes. His action put lives at risk and threatened the safety of our community. The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable and get them – and the illegal weapons they carry – off our streets.”

Timothy O’Malley, FBI Indianapolis special agent in charge

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A jury on Thursday found a 25-year-old Indianapolis man guilty of murdering a Marion woman and a Warsaw man in April 2024 in Lawrence, online court records show.

Malik Shaw had been charged in April 2024 with the murders of Londyn Coleman, 19, of Warsaw; 27-year-old Spencer Lawson Jr., 27, of Indianapolis; and Aaliyah Wortman, 19, of Marion.

A news release issued Thursday from the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said, “The jury was unable to reach a verdict as to count one relating to a third murder of Spencer Lawson Jr. The count remains pending and the State plans to move forward as a new trial date will be set.”

At 7:16 p.m. April 12, 2024, Lawrence Police Department officers responded to a report of a person shot in the 4400 block of Duxbury Lane. That is at the Jamestowne Apartments near East 45th Street and North Post Road. The three people found shot died at the shooting scene.

A maintenance man at the apartment complex had pursued Shaw as he fled the scene. Shaw ditched his vehicle and fled through a fence.

Later, detectives learned that Shaw had entered a bar seeking a ride home from a stranger, who shared with investigators the address where he dropped off Shaw and a description of him. The address was near Shaw’s home, an apartment complex off East 38th Street west of North Sherman Drive in Indianapolis.

Investigators pieced together Shaw’s movements after the shooting through security footage from various points, and eyewitnesses.

A key piece evidence was found in the Shaw’s car: the cellphone in the center console. Shaw had a cellphone photo in which he was wearing a Nike sweatshirt, the same one that was recovered near the crime scene.

Shaw remained in the Marion County jail on Thursday afternoon, awaiting a sentencing hearing at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 27 in Marion Superior Court 7.

(CNN) — Severe turbulence struck a Delta flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam Wednesday, causing service carts and unbelted passengers to hit the ceiling and forcing an emergency landing in Minnesota, where 25 people on board were taken to hospitals.

Delta said flight DL56 landed safely at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and was met by medical teams upon arrival. Video shows fire rescue vehicles waiting on the tarmac as the plane made its landing.

When the turbulence hit, Joseph Carbone grabbed his wife’s hand and braced for the worst.

“I truly thought the plane was going to go down,” the passenger told CNN.

As items flew into the air and passengers around him screamed, Carbone watched as a “flight attendant just about crashed into the ceiling.”

The flight likely hit severe turbulence over an area of southwestern Wyoming that had been identified as a potential trouble spot by federal aviation forecasters earlier in the day.

Twenty-five on board the flight were taken to area hospitals “for evaluation and care,” Delta said in a statement.

All crew members and those passengers “willing to share their status” had been released as of noon Thursday, Delta said.

“All seven crew members who were taken to area hospitals after the flight landed were treated and released by Thursday morning. All customers who were evaluated at the hospital and willing to share their status with Delta have also been released,” the airline said.

The plane was carrying 275 customers and 13 crew members, according to Delta. It’s unclear whether all passengers taken to area hospitals have been released.

The health systems HealthPartners and Allina Health told CNN Thursday morning that they were assessing and treating passengers from the flight.

“The overwhelming majority of the folks taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment have been released,” a Delta spokesperson told CNN earlier Thursday morning.

‘Craziest turbulence I’ve ever seen’

Carbone said the turbulence hit in three waves: “bad, to worse and way worse.”

The pilot apologized over the intercom, explaining that they were flying above an altitude where most storms hit and the turbulence was unexpected, Carbone said.

“After we got off the plane, we kissed the ground, and Delta took us to the Delta Lounge and got us hotels and rebooked our flights,” he said.

Another passenger, William Webster, told CNN he takes about 80 flights a year, but what he experienced on board was “the craziest turbulence I’ve ever seen in my life.”

“I felt the centrifugal force. I was off my seat for like 30 seconds with the turbulence,” he said.

People were screaming as phones and other items were thrown into the air, Webster said.

“I watched a wine cart just get thrown into the air,” he said, noting that with his seatbelt on, he was able to grab his phone and an empty champagne glass to keep them from flying away. Webster said he was not injured.

A couple on the flight told ABC News that dinner service had just started when the turbulence hit.

“If you didn’t have your seat belt on, everyone that didn’t, they hit the ceiling and then they fell to the ground, and the carts also hit the ceiling and fell to the ground and people were injured,” Leeann Clement-Nash told ABC News.

“And it happened several times, so it was really scary,” Clement-Nash added.

The plane landed around 7:25 p.m. local time, a spokesperson for the airport told CNN, confirming the flight was diverted “due to reported in-flight turbulence that caused injuries on board.”

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport Fire Department and paramedics met the plane at the gate and provided “initial medical attention to passengers in need,” before some were taken to hospitals, the airport spokesperson said.

Aviation forecasters warned of thunderstorms

A Salt Lake City branch of the National Weather Service’s aviation unit warned of thunderstorm potential Wednesday, noting that severe weather was possible across Wyoming.

An aviation weather advisory for significant meteorological hazards, known as a SIGMET, was in effect when the turbulence occurred over southern Wyoming. The advisories alert pilots to severe weather events like thunderstorms or strong turbulence.

Thunderstorms were developing in much of Wyoming Wednesday evening and some in the southwestern part of the state had grown to 35,000 to 40,000 feet tall when the aircraft experienced turbulence, according to a CNN analysis of archived weather radar data.

The aircraft was at about 35,000 feet when it experienced the severe turbulence, according to a CNN analysis of flight data.

Rising and falling air within thunderstorms is very turbulent and can be extremely dangerous to aircraft.

Aviation authorities investigate

According to data from flight tracking site Flightradar24, the flight climbed by more than 1,000 feet in less than 30 seconds roughly 40 minutes after its departure. It then descended approximately 1,350 feet over the next 30 seconds.

Soon after, the plane altered its course in the direction of Minneapolis-St. Paul, where it landed safely about an hour and a half later, the data shows.

The National Transportation Safety Board told CNN it is investigating and expects a preliminary report to be ready in about a month.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the plane landed safely in St. Paul after the crew reported “severe” turbulence. The agency said it will investigate.

The FAA says turbulence is normal and happens often, but it can sometimes be dangerous, especially for those not wearing seat belts.

Last year, seven people were injured when severe turbulence rocked a United Airlines flight from Cancún to Chicago, forcing an emergency landing in Memphis, Tennessee. Five people were taken to the hospital last month, after severe turbulence hit an American Airlines flight from Miami to Raleigh, North Carolina. And in March, several flights were diverted to Waco, Texas, due to turbulence on their routes, and five passengers were taken to the hospital.

In 2024, 23 people – 20 of whom were crew members – were seriously injured in turbulence events, according to FAA data.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Gamers, geeks, cosplayers and nerds of all genres have taken over downtown Indianapolis for the return of Gen Con at the Indiana Convention Center.

The annual gaming convention celebrates pretty much every kind of game — minus sports and gambling — with tabletop gaming having a big presence.

Organizers announced on Tuesday that it sold out again, with a record-breaking crowd expected.

Despite the sell-out, there are still some ways to get in on the action without a badge— namely, the Gen Con Block Party near Lucas Oil Stadium.

It runs from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the con, except Sunday, when it wraps up at 4 p.m.

Dozens of food vendors are lined up, with seating and a break from the heat available inside the stadium.

Several businesses, hotels and restaurants often have Gen Con-related events to entertain the droves of gamers.

Stacia Kirby, a spokesperson for the convention, says everyone is welcome to hang out.

“You can still come down and see people in costume,” Kirby said.  “We have a [Maker’s] Marketplace that has local artists that people can get access to, and we just welcome everybody to come down.”

It’s that sense of community that Ben Reasinger says he looks forward to every year.

“Always [look forward to] the new releases,” Reasinger said. “I’m a Magic [the Gathering] player, so seeing all the new sets is awesome.”

Alongside the Lawrence native is Natasha Steffen, who came from out of town to attend her first Gen Con.

“I’m a huge gamer,” Steffen said. “I grew up in a gaming family have been dying to come. Love the costumes, the community, the games. It’s wonderful. Like, you can’t — There’s nothing like it.”

The duo is part of the nearly 75,000 convention-goers expected this weekend. Organizers say it’s not just attendance records being broken, either.

This year will see the most vendors ever, with 595, and the most activities, with almost 30,000 individual sessions planned for the 4-day event.

Gen Con was started in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, in 1968 — that’s where it gets the “Gen” in its name.

It’s been held in Indianapolis since 2003. Event Runners have renewed the event in Indy through at least 2030.

This year’s Gen Con runs through Sunday at 4 p.m.