DATE: August 22, 2025
SUBJECT: Sheriff’s Office Arrests Suspect in Pair of West Side Burglaries
RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-NR-0822
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an Evansville man on felony charges following an investigation into two burglaries at the same west side business earlier this month.
Trinstan Michael Wilson, 22, was taken into custody today at his residence on two counts of Burglary, two counts of Theft, and two counts of Criminal Mischief after detectives executed a search warrant.
On August 4 and August 21, the West Side Smoke Shop on Pearl Drive reported break-ins in which glass entry doors were smashed and multiple items, including vapes and vape cartridges, were stolen.
Sheriff’s Office detectives obtained surveillance footage from inside the store and determined that the same suspect was responsible for both burglaries. The suspect wore the same clothing during each break-in. Detectives also reviewed surveillance video from nearby businesses and from Flock license plate reader cameras in the area, which helped identify a suspect vehicle. Investigators noted that the vehicle’s license plate had been intentionally obscured in an attempt to avoid detection.
Store employees told detectives they believed the suspect might be a customer. Detectives confirmed this by reviewing in-store footage and linking the suspect to the business’s Rewards/Loyalty program. The suspect also appeared to have a noticeable leg issue, which matched Wilson’s appearance in store footage. A records check further tied Wilson to the suspect vehicle, which was registered to his grandmother.
Detectives went to Wilson’s grandparents’ home, where he resides. While Wilson denied consent to search his room, detectives obtained a search warrant and recovered multiple stolen items, along with clothing and shoes believed to have been worn during both burglaries. A hammer left behind at the second break-in was also identified by Wilson’s grandfather as his property.
During an interview, Wilson admitted to having addiction issues. While he discussed what his intent might have been if he had committed the burglaries, he did not take responsibility for the crimes.
Wilson was arrested and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail. He is being held without bond pending a court appearance.
Arrested:
Trinstan Michael Wilson, 22, Evansville
Charges:
- Burglary, Level 5 Felony
- Theft, Class A Misdemeanor
- Criminal Mischief, 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.
–END–