Four teenagers were arrested this week following an investigation into the theft of a motor vehicle on April 28 in Whitesville, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office. The teens also face charges related to other stolen items along with tampering with evidence.
During the investigation, DCSO detectives posted a description of the suspect vehicle on the agency’s Facebook page and requested the public’s help in identifying the suspects. The image posted was obtained from a security video that was recorded in the area of the theft, according to DCSO.
Shortly after making the post, a tip was given to detectives that identified Tristan Collier as the vehicle’s owner. Detectives went to Collier’s home in the 1700 block of Alexander Avenue in Owensboro, according to DCSO.
“Detectives observed the suspect vehicle in the driveway, but no one would come to the door when detectives knocked,” DCSO said in a release.
A search warrant was obtained by the Commonwealth’s Attorney Office and served on the suspect vehicle at which time Collier and another suspect, Sarah Bellamy, 18, exited the residence and were immediately detained for questioning, according to DCSO.
“Numerous items that had been reported stolen were located during the search,” the release says. “The suspect vehicle had areas that had been painted recently in an effort to alter the appearance and avoid detection.”
The stolen vehicle was located by DCSO patrol units on April 28 at a parking lot in the 3500 block of Thruston Dermont Road. The vehicle had sustained substantial damage, according to DCSO.
The suspects were taken to DCSO and interviewed, which led to two additional suspects being identified. Those suspects, ages 16 and 17, were located on May 1 and charged.
Some of the stolen property was located in Muhlenburg County by the Muhlenburg County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted DCSO on this case.
Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman thanked the public for their assistance and reminded people to lock their car doors and to not leave valuables in their vehicles, especially overnight.
Collier, Bellamy, and both juveniles (for whom no identifiable information can be given at this time per KRS) have all been charged with:
- Receiving Stolen Property $10,000 or more
- Receiving Stolen Property $1,000 < $10,000
- Criminal Mischief, 1st Degree
- Tampering With Physical Evidence
- Receiving Stolen Property
