SWAT team standoff in Mishawaka connected to teen's 2006 murder

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Jason Reeves SWAT standoff Ja-Vonda Tharbs

Jason Reeves walks out of a home on Christyann Street in Mishawaka after a two-hour standoff with the SWAT team. Reeves was arrested in connection with the 2006 murder of 16-year-old Ja-Vonda Tharbs. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jul 30, 2008 at 4:12 PM EST

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2008 at 5:20 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — A two-hour standoff involving the SWAT team in Mishawaka is over.

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Police arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a 16-year-old girl more than two years ago.

Police received a tip just before 2 p.m. that three suspects involved in Ja-Vonda Tharbs' death were at a home in the 600-block of Christyann Street.

Clover Smith, 31, eventually surrendered. A short time later 31-year-old Jason Reeves came out of the house carrying a baby.

“My heart kind of stopped when he kind of walked out with the child, and then when he returned in the house and set the child down, I was just glad to see him come back to the door," said Mishawaka Police Asst. Chief Mike Samp. "I was kind of hoping he would set the child right down at his feet on the grass and then continue, but when he returned inside the house, it was very stressful."

Reeves faces a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors charged Smith with assisting a criminal.

Police are still looking for Jermaine Reeves in connection with the murder.

Terry Waddell was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in April. Larry Mitchell is serving a 65-year sentence for mistaking Tharbs for her sister and shooting her in retaliation for another shooting.

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