Three people traveling in a U-Haul were arrested yesterday afternoon in the Ridgeport area by GCSD deputies who allege the three were stealing a catalytic converter. Deputies found several more in the back of their truck. Are you missing a catalytic converter?

Three people were arrested yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, August 25, by Deputy James Carpenter of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department as a result of an investigation involving numerous GCSD personnel.

An off-duty deputy from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Josh Fuller, noticed suspicious activity in an area on State Road 54 near Ridgeport. GCSD Deputy Carpenter responded along with Deputy Harvey Holt and Deputy Terry Wade.

After they arrived on the scene, their investigation determined three individuals were involved in stealing a catalytic converter.

Once the three subjects were in custody, an inventory of the U-Haul truck they had been driving yielded several more catalytic converters that deputies suspect were also stolen.

Johnny Ray Warnock III, 24, Terre Haute, was booked in to the Greene County Jail at 3:43 p.m. on preliminary charges of felony theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief. His bond was set at $4,500 surety with ten percent cash allowed.
Kenni May Dickens, 26, West Baden, was booked in at 3:44 p.m. on preliminary charges of felony theft and possession of syringe, and misdemeanor criminal mischief and possession of marijuana. Her bond was set at $9,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed. She has since posted $900 and been released.
Joshua Lee Sebastian Houle, 35, West Baden, was booked in at 4:05 p.m. on preliminary charges of felony theft and misdemeanor criminal mischief. His bond was set at $4,500 surety with ten percent cash allowed. He has since posted $450 and been released.

GCSD Deputy James Carpenter and Det. Sgt. Shawn Cullison are leading the investigation.

Anyone who discovered they had a catalytic converter stolen on Wednesday, August 25, is asked to contact the Greene County Sheriff’s Department at 812-384-4411.

According to GCSD Maj. George Dallaire, thefts of catalytic converters are on the rise in Greene County and he is urging people to park their vehicles in a garage at night or when not at home. He also asks everyone to report suspicious activity.

“Report all suspicious activity as soon as possible,” said Dallaire. “Many times when we respond to suspicious activity complaints, arrests are made.”