Batesville Police Link 17-Year-Old To Vehicle Thefts

A stolen handgun was allegedly recovered from the suspect's home.

(Batesville, Ind.) - Batesville Police have arrested a teenager for a series of vehicle break-ins.

Several vehicles throughout the city had items ranging from loose change to a handgun stolen from them over the past several weeks, according to Major Brad Wessel.

An officer on patrol just before 5:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, January 15 happened to see an individual outside a vehicle parked in a driveway on Columbus Avenue. The person walked off in a hurry. The officer found that the vehicle was left with its door ajar. The homeowner confirmed that they had not been outside and that somebody had gone through their vehicle.

Police would later receive numerous other reports of thefts from vehicles that same morning. That individual the officer saw had gotten away.

However, Batesville Police soon identified a 17-year-old male as a suspect. A search of his home Tuesday evening turned up the stolen handgun.

“The numerous reports and observations made by citizens to the police department assisted in identifying the suspect,” said Major Wessel.

The teen suspect was arrested, but has been released to his parents pending formal charges. Batesville Police said the case will be forwarded to the Ripley County Prosecutor’s Office.