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Last updated on Wednesday, October 29, 2014
(MARTINSVILLE) - A Martinsville man was arrested after an Indiana State trooper caught him and another man stealing metal and wire from abandoned homes owned by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
Last week, Master Trooper Doug Perry was on routine patrol when he discovered two males stripping metal and wire from a home at 2460 State Road 37.
The two fled, but Master Trooper Perry was able to apprehend 43-year-old Elba Davis. The second man escaped, but Troopers know who he is and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Davis was booked into the Morgan County Jail on charges of theft, and possession of hypodermic needles that had been used to inject meth.
Unfortunately, thefts and burglaries from these INDOT properties have become a case that troopers are routinely investigating. In response to the large number of thefts, M/Trp. Perry has made patrols of these locations a priority. This case represents the second set of suspects M/Trp Perry has arrested committing thefts of INDOT properties in Morgan County.
After INDOT purchases these properties, they are bid out to demolition in an effort to recoup some of the costs. When the scrap metal is stolen from the homes, INDOT is unable to bid out the property and the company that is paid to demolish the home loses out on any income they would generate from selling the scrap metal.
The Indiana State Police continues to monitor these INDOT properties and asks anyone with any information on these cases to contact the Bloomington Post at (812) 332-4411.
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