(Jennings/Decatur Counties, IN) – An investigation into the theft of hundreds of pounds of copper wire and tools in Decatur and Jennings counties over Thanksgiving weekend has resulted in the arrests of two men from North Vernon.
The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office says deputies began investigating last Monday after thefts were reported from multiple construction companies at the Southeastern Purdue Agricultural Center in Butlerville.
Three separate companies were hit for $63,545.34 in thefts.
Decatur County Sheriff’s deputies also reported thefts that weekend, and investigators identified 41-year-old Ryan Beeman as a suspect.
Jennings County deputies conducted a search of Beeman’s home after obtaining a warrant, and as he was being arrested, deputies found items stolen from both counties.
A second search warrant led to authorities recovering more stolen items.
Investigators believe Beeman swiped more than $10-thousand in wire, burned it down and then sold 362 pounds of copper at a scrapyard for about $1-thousand.
Beeman was arrested on felony burglary and theft charges and for a felony probation warrant out of Decatur County.
At the home, deputies also found 38-year-old Shaun Webb, who was taken into custody during the search and allegedly found to be carrying methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Webb is facing charges for possession of drugs and paraphernalia.
Both men were being held in the Jennings County Jail.
