BEDFORD – A Paoli man was arrested Tuesday on a warrant charging him with criminal mischief, corrupt business influence, theft, and an outstanding warrant for failure to appear. He was arrested after numerous law enforcement agencies began an investigation into the theft of several catalytic converters in the Lawrence County area.
Police arrested 23-year-old Austin Conn.
According to a probable cause affidavit, between January 1, 2021, through March 31, 2021, Conn is accused of stealing two catalytic converters off of two motor homes at Roots RV.
He is also accused of stealing a catalytic converter from a 2021 Ford F-250 at the US Forestry Service Office.
On May 13, 2021 Indiana Conservation officers interviewed Adam Brewer who was one of the individuals involved in a large theft ring of catalytic converters and trailers.
During that interview Brewer confessed that he and Conn had committed the theft at the US Forestry Service office and that Conn, Uriah Stickney and Amber Royston, had committed the thefts at Roots RV. Brewer said that Stickney and Conn had bragged about the theft.
On May 18, 2021 an Indiana State Police trooper spoke to another female who said Stickney, Royston and Conn had committed the thefts. The woman told police that Royston had told her that Stickney had fallen asleep under one of the vehicles during the theft. This was later confirmed by Stickney, himself, during an interview with police on May 20, 2021. An ISP trooper spoke to Stickney and he admitted to the numerous thefts and that Conn, and Royston were also involved.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office and a warrant was issued for Conn’s arrest.
