An Indiana couple was charged with auto theft after police say they stole a car that was found on an abandoned property, where they believe the couple was living without permission.
Shannon Beatty, 39, of Franklin, and Frederick Dees, 39, of Columbus, were both charged following an investigation that began in late July.
Brown County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Stargell and Sgt. Bill Southerland were investigating a stolen vehicle at a home in the 7700 block of Ford Ridge Road. A man Southerland had arrested told them the vehicle was there. According to jail records, he was booked into jail on a probation violation warrant.
Stargell and Deputy Pool searched the property while Southerland took the man to the jail. They found cut trees in a pile along with patio tables and other items blocking the driveway, the report said.
The deputies were told that people on the property may be squatters.
On an outbuilding, Stargell found wires spliced from a breaker box to an electric meter so the property would have power. In a second outbuilding, police found hung shower curtains and a 55-gallon drum being used as a shower.
A camping tent had been hung up as a room divider and there were several clothing items in the living room that belonged to a man and woman, the affidavit states.
Stargell interviewed the man Southerland arrested. He reported that Beatty and Dees were dating and they told him they were renting the property.
They had invited him to stay for a couple of days. The first day the couple showed up with the car that was later reported stolen. Beatty said it belonged to a relative. About two days after he arrived, the man said he found out the vehicle had been stolen from a person who had stolen it from someone else.
The man said Beatty was going to sell the key to the victim’s home, which was on the car’s key ring, since the owner was on vacation, the police report said.
The man said he became angry after finding out the vehicle had been stolen, and he threw the keys in the woods near a creek in the area of Upper Salt Creek and Webber Hill roads.
While searching for the keys by the creek, Southerland reported finding clothing and a cellphone belonging to the man, but no keys. Southerland and Det. Paul Henderson returned to the home to gather clothing and a spoon for DNA testing.
On July 24, the owners of the Ford Ridge property confirmed the property was supposed to be vacant after last tenant moved out at the end of 2017.
Beatty and Dees were both charged on Sept. 19 with auto theft, a Level 6 felony.
