Two arrested in Johnson County, suspected of multiple central Indiana package thefts
PLAINFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — A man and woman are in the Johnson County Jail, accused of stealing packages across four counties. Officers finally caught up with the suspects in Princes Lakes thanks to tips from neighbors who passed on surveillance video showing the suspects and their getaway vehicle.
Officers pulled the suspects over and arrested them December 5th. But, having them behind bars isn’t stopping neighbors from being cautious.
UPS dropped off packages at Yolanda Manson’s neighbor’s Plainfield home Tuesday afternoon. Watching out for her neighbors, Manson went over to pick up the boxes and stored them in her garage until they get home. She hasn’t always been a vigilant neighbor.
“They stopped at another house down the street. I saw a girl get out and run to the other house and then got back in the car and left,” Manson described.
It took Manson’s neighbors becoming victims before she became proactive. “Something made me think something odd was going on. They were driving really slow and I actually got up and started watching them,” she said.
Neighbors passed along video to Plainfield police. It shows the suspects in the act. Police connected five cases throughout the city, matching the male and female suspects as well as their vehicle.
“That’s very bold in daylight. Obviously many times they may not be aware that those victims had surveillance. There again, it was the recurring white Ford Explorer,” said Captain Jill Lees of the Plainfield Police Department.
Princes Lakes Police arrested 28-year-old Christina Baker of Martinsville and 28-year-old Koty Hopkins of Mooresville. They say the suspects had several illegal things in their vehicle including methamphetamine, stolen mail, stolen checks, ID making materials and account numbers from victims in and out of state.
Plainfield police say it is a relief to bring their cases to a close.
“This means that they’re not doing it in other neighborhoods,” said Captain Lees.
Still, Manson isn’t taking any chances.
“We had packages planned to be delivered and we decided to have it sent to my husband’s work instead of home,” Manson said. “Worrying (that) they might steal them.”
In Plainfield, the suspects face five counts each of theft. They’re also facing multiple felonies in Johnson County. Police could not say in what other counties they may face charges.
