BLOOMINGTON— The Indiana State Police’s rapidly evolving theft investigation resulted in the arrest of a Knox County man and the recovery of stolen construction equipment.
Trooper Sam Wagner initiated a theft investigation on Wednesday, April 2nd, after receiving a complaint from Schroeder Construction regarding the theft of a Mikasa Multiquip walk-behind vibratory compactor that had been at an Eagle Pointe Golf Course construction site.
According to the victim, the compactor was on the job site when the workers left Tuesday evening. When workers returned Wednesday morning, the compactor was missing, and workers observed gouge marks in the parking lot.
Later in the day, the victim observed that the stolen equipment had been placed on Facebook Marketplace, contacted Indiana State Police, and filed a theft report. Using various investigative techniques, Trooper Wagner identified and located a suspect, John Logan Parkes, 37, of Sandborn.
Trooper Wagner developed further probable cause during the investigation and filed for a Knox County residential search warrant. The search warrant was granted and executed at Parkes’ Sandborn residence on Wednesday, April 2nd. The compactor, estimated at $3,500, was located and recovered.
Parkes was arrested without incident and transported to the Monroe County Jail for the following charges:
- One count of Theft (of item with a value of $750 or more), prior conviction, Level 6 Felony
- One Count of Dealing in Altered Property (with value of more than $1,000), a Level 6 Felony
- One count of Conversion, A Misdemeanor
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.
