A Solsberry man was taken into custody last week. He’s accused of driving while suspended, having meth in his pocket, and carrying a gun when he wasn’t supposed to have one. But he allegedly shot someone’s lawn mower.

Thomas Edward White, 61, Solsberry, was arrested by Det. Shawn Cullison of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department last Tuesday afternoon, May 26.

Det. Cullison was dispatched a little before 1 p.m. last Tuesday when a couple residing in the Solsberry area called the sheriff’s department and said White had just used a handgun to shoot their lawn mower. They said White then left the area in a white Chevrolet S10.

Det. Cullison learned there was an argument between White and the male resident over the lawn mower and White allegedly fired four or five shots into the lawn mower.

About 20 minutes later, Indiana State Police Trooper Richard Klun located White and the white Chevrolet S10 at White’s residence, also in the Solsberry area.

White was detained and allegedly admitted he did shoot the lawn mower. He told the trooper there was a revolver in his truck.

Det. Cullison said White later told him he believed the lawn mower belonged to him and the man had stolen it from him, so he shot the lawn mower so nobody could use it.

Det. Cullison reported that during a pat down, a small bag with a white powder residue was located in White’s pocket. They also located five .38 special caliber rounds in his pocket, and the white residue field-tested positive as methamphetamine.

They also determined White’s driver’s license was suspended and he has a previous conviction for dealing in methamphetamine, a Class B felony, back in 2010. Det. Cullison noted the meth conviction means White is not allowed to possess a firearm under Indiana law.

When a search warrant was executed on the truck, deputies found a Rossi brand 38 special revolver with five spent bullet casings in it.

White was booked in around 2:31 p.m. Tuesday.

White appeared in Greene Circuit Court last Friday, May 29, and was charged with:

Unlawful possession of a firearm by serious violent felony, a Level 4 felony,
Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 5 felony, and
Driving while suspended – a knowing violation with a prior conviction within 10 years, a Class A misdemeanor.

White’s bond was set at $26,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has since posted $2,600 and been released from jail.