What started as a quick trip to the gas station took an expected turn for Rushville resident Gary Pugh Saturday afternoon.
Shortly after filling his gas tank Pugh entered Gas America, 1877 North Main Street, to pay for his purchase. Moments later, as he exited the convenience store, he realized that his 2002 Ford F-150 pickup truck was missing.
A call to the Rushville Police Department resulted in multiple units looking for the stolen truck.
RPD officer Brandon Reynolds was the first to arrive at the convenience store and was given conflicting reports by witnesses to the theft.
“One witness said they saw the vehicle go south on SR 3 while the other said it was northbound after leaving the station,” Reynolds said.
Rushville and Rush County dispatch centers alerted nearby counties to be on the lookout for the missing vehicle.
Nearly 24 hours later RPD officer Brent Horton observed the truck at an undisclosed residence on West First Street. As the officer made a loop around the block he noticed the vehicle was no longer at the residence and an intensified search for the missing Ford F-150 began.
Horton and Sgt. Craig Tucker of the RPD arrested Scott C. Morris, 26, of Rushville, without incident and recovered the vehicle shortly after 6 p.m. Sunday.
Morris is facing charges of auto theft (class “D” felony) and possession of stolen property. He currently is being held in the Rush County Jail on a $10,000 bond.
Morris allegedly made multiple trips to Connersville in the stolen vehicle.
Tucker said once the truck was recovered it was returned to its rightful owner.
“The truck and its contents were returned to Mr. Pugh, minus a tool box that was reportedly stolen out of the truck while it was in Connersville,” Tucker said.
According to Rushville Chief of Police Ron Cameron, officers are working to recover the tool box at this time.
Officers advise that vehicle owners should never leave their vehicle unattended or unlocked and never leave keys inside a vehicle. Tucker noted that it only takes a couple of seconds for the wrong person to be in the area waiting to seize the moment and steal a vehicle and its contents.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
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