Smith
Three Jackson County residents have been arrested on auto theft and marijuana prices over the course of an investigation that began in late January.
In addition to the three arrests, police confiscated an estimated $300,000 in stolen autos and estimated $18,000 in marijuana throughout the investigation, in response to a information launch from Seymour Police Division Lt. C.J. Foster.
Two Seymour males, Johnathan P. Smith, 24, and Philip D. Auel, 29, every face 5 Degree 5 felony prices of auto theft and Class A misdemeanor prices of dealing in marijuana. Smith was arrested Jan. 31, whereas Auel was arrested Feb. 16.
The third individual, Karen Miller, 27, of Seymour, was arrested on Saturday for a Degree 5 felony cost of conspiracy to commit auto theft, two Degree 6 felony prices of neglect of a dependent and a Class A misdemeanor cost of dealing in marijuana.
The investigation began Jan. 30 when patrol officers with the Seymour Police Division acquired info from the Mishawaka Police Division {that a} stolen high-end 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was within the space of West Tipton Avenue in Seymour, Foster stated.
He stated these officers contacted the person, later recognized as Smith, at a location at 1999 W. Tipton St.
Officers then requested Smith if they may search the property for the stolen automobile, Foster stated.
A short while later, Smith arrived on the location and produced a receipt for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Officers confirmed Smith a photograph of the lacking automobile, and he acknowledged the automobile being inside and provided to push it exterior, Foster stated.
He stated police have been capable of develop possible trigger and obtained a Jackson Superior Court docket 1 search warrant to enter the situation and examine for the stolen automobile in addition to another stolen autos.
When the search warrant was executed, officers and investigators situated the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had been stolen, Foster stated.
In addition they discovered two different high-end autos, a grey 2020 Dodge Charger and an orange 2020 Dodge Charger, he stated. Each Chargers had been reportedly stolen out of Indianapolis.
Foster stated throughout the search of the situation, investigators additionally noticed quite a few gadgets that have been related to automobile thefts.
The search was stopped, and a second search warrant was obtained for extra proof, he stated.
A few of that further proof included key fob programming gadgets, quite a few key fobs, gadgets belonging to the stolen automobile house owners, handwritten receipts and proof that automobile identification numbers had been manipulated, Foster stated.
Investigators additionally noticed proof the place automobile identification numbers had been lower from one automobile and presumably placed on one other automobile, he stated.
The data situated on the West Tipton Avenue constructing led officers and investigators to a residence on Sam’s Circle in Seymour.
A 3rd search warrant was obtained for that location, and through that ensuing search, a stolen white 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee, greater than 6 kilos of marijuana, automobile titles and proof of auto identification numbers being manufactured was situated, Foster stated.
On Jan. 31, investigators obtained a fourth search warrant to return to the situation at 1999 W. Tipton St.
Whereas there the day earlier than, investigators checked the standing of a Bobcat skid steer that was on the location, however nothing had come again. The following day, investigators discovered the skid steer was stolen out of Owen County. It was recovered, Foster stated.
Investigators with the Indiana State Police Particular Investigations Auto Theft Part and investigators with the Nationwide Insurance coverage Crime Bureau assisted within the investigation.
