Local authorities are attempting to identify and locate a man suspected of stealing money from an elderly Batesville resident.
A local citizen stopped his vehicle along the shoulder of the westbound I-74 Batesville exit to help what he perceived to be was a stranded motorist on Monday, March 17.
The motorist was described as a 5’9’’ white male in his late thirties with dark hair.
Police say the Batesville resident gave the man money to fix a mechanical problem with the vehicle. The stranded motorist provided a name and telephone number to arrange a time and place to return the money.
The Batesville citizen contacted police after he believed that the encounter may have been a scam. The Batesville Police Department checked the area where the stranded motorist was last seen, but could not find a vehicle or the driver.
On Tuesday, March 18, the stranded motorist called the Batesville resident. The resident provided the stranded motorist directions to their house with the belief the stranded motorist was coming to repay for the borrowed money.
“The Batesville resident was alerted minutes later to a knock on her door where upon the same stranded motorist entered her house without permission,” said Batesville Chief Stan Holt.
The motorist allegedly distracted the Batesville resident long enough to steal the homeowner’s wallet from an area inside the home.
Holt warns local residents to report disabled roadway vehicles or suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agency. Batesville Police can be contacted at (812) 934-3131.
