The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has taken a juvenile suspect into custody in connection with a series of car break-ins and attempted residential burglaries in the Wellington Acres neighborhood of northeastern Vanderburgh County.
On June 19, 2025, deputies responded to reports from two residents who discovered that their vehicles had been unlawfully entered during the overnight hours. Items reported stolen included cash, a laptop computer, and designer handbags. Home surveillance footage captured video of the suspect wearing a clown-like mask at the scene. Sheriff’s deputies later discovered the mask discarded on the roadway.
On June 22, 2025, deputies were again dispatched to the same neighborhood after multiple residents reported suspicious activity. One homeowner provided footage showing a masked individual attempting to open the doors of several locked vehicles. Another resident captured video of the same suspect trying to open a locked garage man door. A third resident discovered that two window screens at the rear of their home had been removed overnight, suggesting an attempted burglary. Fortunately, in all three cases, entry was not gained.
Images and video from these incidents were shared by residents and the Sheriff’s Office on social media in an effort to identify the suspect. As a result, on June 23, a parent, upon recognizing their child in the footage, brought the juvenile to the Sheriff’s Office Operations Center to cooperate with law enforcement.
The juvenile provided a full confession during an interview with detectives. A search warrant was executed at the suspect’s residence, where investigators recovered multiple stolen items.
The suspect was transported to the Youth Care Center and is being held pending further proceedings in Vanderburgh County Juvenile Court. All recovered property will be processed and returned to its rightful owners.
Sheriff Noah Robinson praised the parents’ actions, stating: “We are grateful to the parent who demonstrated courage and integrity by doing the right thing, even under difficult circumstances. Their decision to bring their child forward not only aided our investigation, but also gave this young person an opportunity to face consequences and access the resources available through Juvenile Court. Indiana’s juvenile justice system is designed not only to hold youth accountable, but also to rehabilitate and redirect them toward a more positive path. That process often starts at home with parental responsibility.”
The Sheriff’s Office thanks the residents of Wellington Acres for their vigilance and cooperation and encourages the continued use of home surveillance to deter and document suspicious activity.
ARRESTED:
JUVENILE, 16, of Evansville. Attempted Burglary as a Level 4 Felony (2 counts), Theft as a Level 6 Felony, Theft as a Class A Misdemeanor, Attempted Theft as a Class A Misdemeanor.
Presumption of Innocence Notice: The fact that a person has been arrested or charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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