BEDFORD – A Bedford man, Seth Norrick, 51, was arrested on theft charges after being found inside the Bedford Street Department garage on Thursday, June 6.
Bedford Police Department Officer Stuart Ratcliff was dispatched to 725 14th Street at approximately 1:46 p.m. in response to a report of a homeless man in the garage’s break room. Upon arrival, Officer Ratcliff located Norrick lying on the floor.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Ratcliff, Norrick told the officer he was trying to find a way to the hospital due to foot injuries.
A Street Department employee, Douglas Staggs, informed Officer Ratcliff that he had entered the garage to find Norrick wearing Staggs’ brown jacket and zipping it up. Staggs also noted that Norrick was wearing a black and white ball cap, similar to those stocked by the Street Department in the back of the garage. Additionally, Staggs’ black coffee thermos, which had been on a table, was moved to the breakroom and appeared to have been filled with water and consumed. Staggs also reported an orange missing from his lunchbox.
After being read his Miranda Warnings, Norrick told Officer Ratcliff that he had walked from the Men’s Warming Shelter, past local car dealerships, and then entered the Street Department garage. When asked about the jacket, coffee thermos, and hat, Norrick claimed that someone had told him the items didn’t belong to anyone and that he could take them. He denied eating an orange. Staggs confirmed there was no one else in the garage at the time Norrick was discovered.
The stolen items — the jacket, coffee thermos, and hat — were returned before Officer Ratcliff’s arrival. Norrick was issued a trespass warning for the property. Due to severe blisters and lacerations observed on his feet, Norrick was given a courtesy ride to IU Health for evaluation.
Based on the investigation, Officer Ratcliff stated he had probable cause to believe Seth Norrick committed theft. An arrest warrant was requested, and he was detained on Monday, June 23.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
