On January 14, 2021, Indiana State Trooper Cody Brown began an investigation into the theft of a dump trailer from a utility company. The trailer had been stolen from along River Road, near Ft. Ritner, where the company had equipment parked. In addition, one of the company’s trucks had a catalytic converter cut and removed.

During the course of this trailer theft investigation, ISP began to receive information that several departments were taking reports of stolen catalytic converters.

These thefts were occurring not only in Lawrence County, but also in Monroe, Orange, Washington, Martin, and Dubois Counties. Locally, the Lawrence County Police Department, the Bedford Police Department, and the Mitchell Police Department had taken dozens of theft reports.

Additionally, Indiana Conservation Law Officers Dennis Talley, Jim Schreck, and others were investigating the theft of catalytic converters from state properties in the area.

As is the case in such widespread and rampant theft rings, each department would uncover a piece of the puzzle and obtain tips/information.

As the thefts continued, Trp. Brown, ISP Sgt. Greg Day, and ICO Officers Talley and Schreck began to work together in April 2021.

LCPD Sgt. Lonnie Johnson was also very involved in disseminating pertinent information to both ISP and ICO.

Various investigative techniques were utilized, including obtaining electronic communications of suspects.

Officers were able to identify Adam Brewer, 31 years old of Bedford, Uriah Stickney, 27 years old of Bedford, Nicholas Arthur, 29 years old of Bedford, and Jeffrey Deckard, 29 years old of Bedford as being involved in the theft ring.

Trp. Brown was able to track down and recover the stolen trailer from the utility company. It was located in West Virginia after a man from that state had purchased it from Brewer. The West Virginia State Police recovered the trailer, which has now been returned to the utility company in Indiana.

At this point in the investigation, Troopers and ICO Officers began to rapidly compile evidence against several suspects. ICO was able to arrest multiple people on the converter thefts from state properties (see their earlier news releases).

ISP Sgt. Day and Trp. Brown conducted multiple interviews and recovered two more stolen trailers at various locations in Lawrence County. In addition, they recovered stolen battery-powered tools and saws.

Troopers also obtained information that Brewer and Deckard had stolen a four-wheeler from a property on SR 446. This theft was uncovered before the victims even knew the four-wheeler was missing.

The four-wheeler was recovered when Trp. Brown (while off duty) observed Deckard driving with the four-wheeler in the back of a truck. Trp. Brown contacted the Bedford Police Department, which conducted a traffic stop on Deckard.

Once all of the evidence was compiled, Sgt. Day talked with officials at both Bedford Police Department and the Lawrence County Police Department. It was decided that ISP would write all of the local probable cause affidavits and request warrants on the appropriate suspects. The affidavits were submitted to the court, and warrants were issued on all seven suspects.

On 06/03/2021, Sgt. Day and Trp. Brown organized efforts to track down and arrest the suspects. ISP Troopers, BPD officers, and LCPD officers assisted in locating the suspects. Four suspects were arrested and incarcerated.

The following are the charges for each arrested suspect:

Adam Brewer
1. Corrupt Business Influence (Level 5 Felony)
2. Theft (Converters) over $750 (Level 6 Felony) – 15 counts
3. Theft of Property (tools) over $750 (Level 6 Felony)
4. Theft of a Motor Vehicle (four-wheeler) (Level 6 Felony)
5. Theft (trailer) over $750 (Level 6 Felony)
6. Criminal Mischief over $750 (Class A Misdemeanor) – 15 counts
7. Unauthorized Entry into a Motor Vehicle (Class B Misdemeanor)

Uriah Stickney
1. Corrupt Business Influence (Level 5 Felony)
2. Theft (Converters) over $750 (Level 6 Felony) – 12 counts
3. Theft (trailer) over $750 (Level 6 Felony)
4. Criminal Mischief over $750 (Class A Misdemeanor) – 12 counts

Nicholas Arthur
1. Corrupt Business Influence (Level 5 Felony)
2. Theft (Converters) over $750 (Level 6 Felony) – 5 counts
3. Theft (trailer) over $750 (Level 6 Felony)
4. Criminal Mischief over $750 (Class A Misdemeanor) – 5 counts

Jeffrey Deckard
1. Theft of a Motor Vehicle (four-wheeler) (Level 6 Felony)

In addition to the local charges, ISP and ICO provided evidence to police departments in Monroe, Orange, Washington, Martin, and Dubois Counties. Charges are expected to be filed on suspects in those counties as well. More arrests are expected in Lawrence County as a result of this investigation. In addition, ICO officers are expected to make more arrests relating to thefts from state properties. This investigation is ongoing and information will be updated as it becomes available.

Sgt. Day commended the excellent cooperation between all departments throughout the investigation. Sgt. Day stated, “This theft ring was responsible for tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage and losses not just in our community, but in surrounding counties as well. Due to the sharing of information and collaboration, this investigation had a successful conclusion with justice for dozens of victims.” Sgt. Day also thanked Chief Deputy Prosecutor Allison Chopra and all of the other staff at the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office for their extensive assistance.

A 30-year-old Salem man was arrested on multiple charges after a brief pursuit early Thursday morning. 

Levi Neil Smith, of Salem, Indiana, led police on a short chase in Harrison County this morning before being arrested.

Indiana State Trooper Trooper Clay Boley learned Smith was wanted on a warrant out of Washington County for Invasion of Privacy.  

Smith was medically cleared at the Harrison County Hospital and has been preliminarily charged with the following: 

1. Theft of a Motor Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony
3. Driving while Suspended (Prior) – A Misdemeanor
4. Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor 

Shortly after 2a, Trooper Boley observed a green Honda Civic drive left of center on SR135 in Palmyra.

Trooper Boley ran the license plate and the vehicle returned as a stolen vehicle from Washington County, Indiana.

When Boley attempted to stop the vehicle after it turned on to Keeling Avenue, the Honda refused to stop. The car continued to a dead end on the north end of Keeling Avenue and then turned around, driving through a yard.

The Honda then went south on Keeling and encountered yet another dead end. The vehicle entered a second yard and became stuck after crashing into a wooded area and a small ditch. After several unsuccessful attempts to free the car, the driver complied and was taken into custody without further incident.  

Trooper Boley was assisted at the scene by Harrison County Deputy Daniel Evans.   

An Indiana State Police officer is on administrative leave after being charged with fracturing the back leg of his K-9 partner. 

A criminal investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police has resulted in the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office issuing a summons to appear in court for Trooper Dustan Rubenacker, 29, for the charge of Striking a Law Enforcement Animal, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after Rubenacker allegedly struck his police K-9 during a March 17^th training session in Jasper.

Several Indiana State Police K-9 teams were present when the alleged incident occurred.

During the training session, Rubenacker and his K-9, Odin, were participating in an exercise and Odin was not properly focusing on the correct target.

Rubenacker allegedly used unreasonable discipline toward Odin, which resulted in an injury.

Odin was taken to a veterinarian clinic where it was determined Odin had a serious fracture to his right rear leg.

Odin underwent surgery to repair his leg, but it is not known at this time if Odin will return to work.

Odin is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois and has been a member of the Indiana State Police for approximately four years.

Rubenacker is a six-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.

The summons for Rubenacker was served this afternoon. Rubenacker is scheduled to appear in Dubois Circuit Court on July 6 at 10:30 a.m.

Rubenacker is currently on administrative leave with pay.

An internal investigation is ongoing.

Earlier this morning in Bloomington, the Indiana chapter of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) recognized Trooper Justin Mears and Trooper Morgenn Evans from the Sellersburg District for their extraordinary efforts in removing impaired drivers from Indiana roadways. 

National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) data shows nearly 30 people die every day across the United States in drunk driving crashes. That staggering number averages one preventable death every 50 minutes, making the efforts of Troopers Mears and Evans even more commendable. 

Trooper Mears is an 8-year veteran of the Indiana State Police(ISP). He has been recognized as one of ISP’s top five OWI enforcement officers for the past three years, amassing over one hundred impaired driving arrests for each of those years. Trooper Mears is also a certified Drug Recognition Expert and Standard Field Sobriety Instructor, assisting and training other officers across the state. 

Trooper Morgenn Evans has been an ISP Trooper for five years. The Indiana State Police recognized trooper Evans as a member of the top five Troopers for impaired driving arrests. In his short time as a Trooper, Evans has received the Combat Action Award and a Purple Heart, both earned during the apprehension of an impaired driver.

For more information on MADD, you can visit their website at https://www.madd.org/#