BATESVILLE, Ind. – A traffic stop in Batesville has investigators saying they may be one step closer to solving a string of recent theft cases around the area.
The Batesville Police Department received numerous reports Saturday morning of vehicles and garages broken into on Friday.
These cases were similar to reports taken a week prior in Versailles.
Batesville officers were also notified by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office regarding the theft of guns, computers and ammunition from vehicles in the Millhousen area.
Batesville Sgt. Danny Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a minor traffic violation near the intersection of State Routes 46 and 229 around 4:10 a.m. Saturday.
The officer suspected illegal drugs were in the vehicle and a search allegedly revealed drug paraphernalia.
“Sgt. Hamilton also noticed firearms, ammunition, and computers along with an unusual amount of change in the vehicle,” Batesville Police Chief Stan Holt said in a statement.
The driver was identified as Paul Smith, 20, and the passenger as 25-year-old Daniel Smith, both from Westport. Neither occupant was arrested at that time.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for the Smith’s home and vehicle in Westport.
A team of officers from multiple agencies raided the home late Saturday night.
Officers say the search turned up the stolen firearms, computers, ammunition and heroin.
Daniel Smith was arrested on suspicion of Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon (Level 5 Felony).
He is currently being held without bond at the Decatur County Jail.
Investigators are working with prosecutors on potential charges in Ripley County.
The Batesville Police Department was assisted by officers from the Ripley and Decatur County Sheriff’s Offices, Indiana State Police, along with the Versailles, Westport and Greensburg Police Departments.
