BEDFORD – A Mitchell man was arrested Wednesday in Bedford after allegedly stealing a company vehicle belonging to Aire Home Health Care. The suspect, Steven S. Stroud, 44, of Mitchell, was apprehended after a coworker of the complainant located the stolen vehicle.
According to an affidavit for probable cause filed by Bedford Police Department Sgt. Toby Gerkin, officers were dispatched on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in response to a complaint of auto theft. Complainant, an employee of Aire Home Health Care, reported that a company vehicle, a 2013 white Dodge Journey, had been stolen overnight.
The complainant informed police that the vehicle had been found by her coworker, who was observing a white male in a mask removing items from it. Officer Blackwell located the vehicle, driven by a male wearing a mask, traveling south on K Street near 15th Street.
Officer Blackwell initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle pulled over near 16th and K Streets. The driver, identified as Steven Stroud, was detained. Upon being read his Miranda Warning, Stroud allegedly told Officer Blackwell that he was “working for the CIA” and that the vehicle “belonged to them,” also making statements about doing home health care.
Sgt. Gerkin arrived on the scene, and the complainant provided a video-recorded statement confirming the vehicle was a company car left in the area of 14th and K Streets the previous night. She discovered it missing at 8:00 a.m. the next day and later found it parked on 13th Street north of the Hauck House. The complainant confirmed that she did not know Stroud and that no one else had permission to have the vehicle.
After Stroud’s property was removed from the vehicle and sent with him to jail, the Dodge Journey was released to the owner. Authorities later learned that Steven Stroud has a prior conviction for auto theft dating back to May 4, 2016.
Stroud was taken into custody and housed at the Lawrence County Jail.
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.
