Clay County—Since July 18th of this year, a number of burglaries, thefts, and suspicious person(s) sightings have occurred in and around the 7600 block of County Road 200 West and Summit Lawn Cemetery area.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, July 29, at 2:30, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Todd Brown was parked in the area observing any possible criminal activity, when he noticed a gray 2002 Jeep emerge from the far west edge of the cemetery. The access road was clearly marked with no trespassing signs.
Master Trooper Brown stopped the vehicle and discovered three occupants. Further investigation revealed the trio had attempted to take a 5’ x 9’ single axle trailer that was parked at the rear of the cemetery in a wooded area and owned by the caretaker of the cemetery. One of the occupants, 23-year-old Drew M. Atkinson of Brazil, IN, had allegedly solicited the help of the other two occupants with false information.
Drew M. Atkinson was arrested and transported to the Clay County Justice Center on preliminary charges of Attempted Theft, Escape, and Criminal Trespass. The other two occupants were not charged. While deputies were escorting him to the book-in process, Atkinson briefly escaped custody, but was quickly apprehended and returned to the Clay County Justice Center without incident.
The case was investigated by ISP M/Trooper Todd Brown. Assisting were Clay County Sheriff’s deputies Jamie Switzer, William Neville, and Justin Greenwell.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
