DATE: Friday, July 24, 2020
SUBJECT: Car Shoppers Arrested During Act by Deputies
RELEASE NUMBER: 2020-NR-42
CONTACT: Major Mark Rasure
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding
During the early morning hours of July 24, 2020 Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the Holiday Inn hotel located on Evansville’s west side to investigate the report of some individuals possibly breaking into cars. As deputies were searching the area, a resident of Copper Creek Apartment complex reported that items had been stolen from their unlocked vehicle. A short time later another deputy located two individuals matching the description of the possible suspects walking in the nearby Mission Viejo apartment complex. The two individuals were carrying backpacks at the time they were stopped. Inside of the packs deputies located electronics, money, credit cards, firearms, and personal identification items belonging to other people. Further investigation confirmed that many of the items recovered were stolen.
Arrested: James Wesley Moore III, 26 (imaged above left), and Katonya Lewis, 26 (imaged above right), both of Evansville were arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail for several related charges of theft.
The act of stealing “easy score” items from parked vehicles, commonly referred to as “car shopping,” is clearly a crime of opportunity. Sheriff Dave Wedding would like to remind citizens that the simple practice of locking their doors and removing valuable items from view will significantly decrease their likelihood of being victimized, as well as better protect the community, because so often the items stolen in these types of situations are used in further criminal activity.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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