DOLAN — Three individuals are behind bars following a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office investigation into the theft of roughly 1,200 feet of AT&T copper wire that disrupted telecommunications services across the northern part of the county.
The investigation was launched on June 3, 2026, after a local citizen alerted authorities to suspicious activity along North Old State Road 37 in the Dolan area. AT&T subsequently reported the massive line theft, which caused a significant service outage for regional customers.
Following their investigation, deputies charged Logan Shaw, Dovie Welch, and Ashley Deckard in connection with the crime. Each suspect faces four felony charges:
- Critical infrastructure facility mischief, a Level 5 felony
- Theft of a valuable metal, a Level 5 felony
- Criminal trespass, a Level 6 felony
- Organized theft, a Level 6 felony
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Shaw was already incarcerated on unrelated charges and was formally served with the new arrest warrant while in custody.
Investigators executed a search warrant on July 23 at a residence on West 13th Street in Bloomington, where Welch was taken into custody without incident.
The final suspect, Deckard, was apprehended three days later on July 26 after deputies located her during a traffic stop and executed her outstanding warrant.
All three defendants are currently being held at the Monroe County Correctional Center.
Law enforcement officials credit the initial tip from the public with kicking off the investigation. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage residents to report any suspicious activity along utility lines or roadways by calling 812-349-2781.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent until proven guilty through a fair and due legal process. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
