DATE: 09-01-2026
SUBJECT: Investigation into Storage Facility Break-In Leads to Arrest
RELEASE NUMBER: 2026-NR-0901
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Noah Robinson
Deputies and U.S. Marshals assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, with the assistance of officers from the Evansville Police Department, arrested an Evansville man on a felony warrant for charges related to an incident at a local storage facility earlier this month.
Stephen Eugene Hayhurst, 30, was arrested at a residence in the 500 block of Rosewood after a brief standoff. Hayhurst surrendered without incident after gas was introduced into the residence.
The warrant was obtained following an investigation into a break-in at the Store-N-Lock storage facility, located at 11571 Old State Road, on August 11 at approximately 4:00 a.m.
Deputies were initially dispatched to the facility to check on a truck parked near the gate. Upon arrival, deputies entered the facility and located a trailer with items that appeared to have been removed from it lying on the ground nearby. Deputies observed a subject, later identified as Hayhurst, standing near an open door of the trailer.
Hayhurst fled on foot and scaled a fence to escape the facility. He was not apprehended that night. The truck was registered to a family member.
A distinctive shirt and sandals were recovered at the scene. Hayhurst was later observed wearing both items in surveillance footage from a nearby convenience store taken shortly before the theft.
A cell phone was also found on the bumper of the truck. A forensic examination of the phone was conducted by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office Electronic Forensics Lab. Investigators located photographs on the phone depicting the storage facility and its security cameras.
Once the warrant was obtained, deputies assigned to the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force began actively searching for Hayhurst. Investigators located him at a relative’s residence this morning, where he was taken into custody following the brief standoff.
Hayhurst will also face an additional Theft charge following an investigation into the theft of several items from an Ace Hardware store that occurred several days ago.
Hayhurst is reportedly on probation in Warrick County and has several previous theft convictions in both Warrick and Vanderburgh Counties. He also has an active Petition to Revoke warrant out of Warrick County.
Hayhurst was transported to the Vanderburgh County Jail to await a court appearance.
SUSPECT:
Stephen Eugene Hayhurst, 30 years old, Evansville, IN
CHARGES:
- Theft — Level 6 Felony
- Criminal Mischief — Misdemeanor (2 Counts)
- Theft with Prior Conviction — Level 6 Felony
- Petition to Revoke — Warrick County Warrant
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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