Wanda English Burnett, Editor

A complaint of stolen tractor weights sent Versailles Marshal Joe Mann on a search that turned up multiple cases of burglary and theft.

When one thing led to another, Mann realized there were several more thefts involved. It was also inclusive to some residences throughout the county and even tipped into Jefferson County.

While much of the case is still under investigation, four arrests have been made. Robert J. Sumler, III, Osgood, Joshua D. Lewis, Madison, and Tyler A. McCarty, Versailles, were all charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Conspiracy to Commit Theft. Sabrina Walker, Madison, was also charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft. Those charges stem from thefts of copper from a communication tunnel inside what used to be the Jefferson Proving Ground. Walker and Lewis bonded out of jail. Sumler and McCarty are still incarcerated, according to a jail officer.

Mann noted that he is working in conjunction with the Jefferson County Prosecutor on the thefts. He also said there were massive amounts of the copper taken resulting in several thousand dollars worth of damage to the tunnel. Mann noted that some of the suspects made several trips into the old proving ground area to steal the copper.

Another trick some of the suspects use is to drive around the county looking for scrap. They will go up to the residence and tell the owner they are buying scrap metal and would like to give them a quote. Then, they come back at another time, and if the owners are not home, they simply help themselves.
Mann believes the investigation so far is just the “tip of the iceberg”, but he’s willing to keep digging. “I want these thieves behind bars for a long time,” he told The Versailles Republican. He is working the cases with the assistance of Deputy Marshal Lee Mathews. There are several investigations being worked by officers from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department concerning thefts and burglaries.

Police encourage residents to lock their doors and windows and generally be alert to suspicious activity and report it to authorities. You can call the state police at 689-5000, the sheriff’s office at 689-5558, or dispatch at 689-5555.