Crothersville Police were called to Wischmeier Trucking on 600 South about a half mile west of Crothersville with a report of thievery in progress on Thursday, Feb. 16. An alert passer-by notified police that three men appeared to be attempting to steal items from the business.
As chief of Police Brent Turner and Capt. J.L. McElfresh arrived around 3:30 p.m., they saw a male running into a wooded area north of the former Regal Industries plant and another male leaving in a pickup truck.
ROBERT NORTHERN
The Crothersville officers requested assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police to help locate the suspects. A vehicle description was obtained and Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputies Rob Henley, Dustin Steward, and Reserve Deputy Brad Barker were able to stop a vehicle matching the description.
The driver of that vehicle, Robert Northern, 41, of Austin, was found to have an active warrant out of Scott County for burglary.
With the assistance of Crothersville Officer Matt Browning, Jackson County Sheriff Deputy Rick Meyer, Jackson County Reserve Deputy Steve Murphy, Indiana State Troopers Tia Deaton and Michael Thiron, an extensive search was conducted for the other two suspects north of the trucking company business. However, no other suspects were located
Around 6:30 p.m. that evening, Crothersville officers received a call of a suspicious male in the area of 5100 South County Road 1000 East which is near the Wischmeier Trucking facility.
Officers responded to that call and located a male that matched the description of one of the suspects.
JARON MULLINS
After questioning, Capt. McElfresh arrested Jaron Mullins, 29, of Austin for burglary and theft.
In addition to being wanted on a warrant for burglary in Scott county, the driver of the truck, Robert Northern was charged with burglary and theft for the incident at Wischmeier Trucking. Additionally, he faces charges of probation violation, carrying a handgun without a permit, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of controlled substance
Both men were booked into Jackson County Jail and being held without bond.
Chief Turner said the investigation is continuing and an arrest of the third suspect is expected.