BEDFORD– A Bedford man has been arrested on a vehicle theft charge after a stolen vehicle was recovered in Heltonville. Bradley Carter, 35, was taken into custody following an investigation by the Bedford Police Department and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Detective Brent Thompkins of the Bedford Police Department, the investigation began on December 26, 2024, after a man reported his vehicle stolen. The male received information via Facebook that his car was in a Heltonville garage.
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Atchison confirmed that the stolen vehicle was in the 7000 block of State Road 58 East in Heltonville. A search warrant was obtained, and the stolen vehicle was recovered from the garage on December 26, 2024.
The vehicle owner stated that he had been contacted via Facebook by a female who relayed information from an anonymous friend stating that Bradley Carter was possibly responsible for the theft. Carter resides a few blocks from where the vehicle was stolen in Bedford.
Detective Thompkins interviewed Carter on December 30, 2024, at his residence. He denied involvement in the theft and claimed he was being “set up” by the police. When informed that DNA swabs were taken from the stolen vehicle, Carter stated that if his DNA was found, it was because he was being “set up.”
On February 4, 2025, after reviewing video footage, Carter was identified as a suspect in a separate stolen truck incident. Detectives then located the stolen Kia truck in the 6000 block of State Road 58 East in Heltonville. When Carter arrived at the location, he admitted to taking the truck and was taken into custody.
During an interview, after being read his Miranda rights, Carter admitted to stealing the Kia. He stated that he felt “led” to the vehicle by a “voice” and that he believed it was a “gift from God.” He acknowledged that taking the vehicle was wrong, mainly because the title was not in the car, but he felt he was being “tempted.”
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
