A routine traffic stop in Linton resulted in the recovery of a stolen firearm and the arrest of a Shelburn man on felony theft charges.

Nickolas McBride, 18, of Shelburn, was arrested Sept. 26 for theft when the property is a stolen handgun.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed Sept. 26, Deputy Harvey Holt of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department observed a light blue Chrysler Town and Country minivan traveling east on West State Road 54 around 7:28 a.m. without headlights and moving below the posted speed limit. Holt also reported that the driver was holding a cellphone while operating the vehicle.

Holt conducted a traffic stop. During the stop, Deputy James Carpenter deployed his certified narcotics detection K9, “Mater,” for a free-air sniff around the vehicle. The dog alerted to the presence of controlled substances, prompting a probable-cause search by Carpenter and Linton Police Officer Davis Aerne.

Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a Ruger Security-9mm handgun with its serial number scratched but still legible. According to the probable cause affidavit, McBride told deputies he purchased the handgun the previous day in Linton for $100. McBride said he bought it from a man he only knew as “Jake,” and could not provide a last name or address. He also mentioned a friend named “Danny” but gave no additional information.

Further investigation revealed the handgun had been reported stolen in Washington on Aug. 18, 2025, according to a report filed by the Washington Police Department.

McBride now faces a Level 5 felony theft charge.

He was transported to the Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $10,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He was released after posting $1,000.