A Jackson County man accused of breaking into a local repair shop and stealing various items has been arrested, police report.
Jerry Wayne Cash, 60, of Seymour faces a preliminary Level 5 felony charge of burglary following his arrest Sunday.
According to the probable cause affidavit signed by Seymour Police Department Officer Seth Sage, Cash’s arrest stems from an investigation that began when police responded to a call of a possible burglary Sunday at the shop located in the 100 block of South Chestnut Street.
The owner of the building told police that windows had been broken and items were missing, including a Schwinn Great Prairie Mountain bicycle, a new 8-foot ladder, light fixtures and metal shelves, Sage said in his report.
He said the owner also mentioned Cash as the potential suspect.
Sage said the owner told investigators he had received a call from a person Cash was staying with saying Cash had taken him to the shop, opened the door and taken items from inside.
Cash claimed to have purchased the items inside the building for $250 and said he gained access to the building for one year to remove the items, police said.
Sage said Cash’s friend became suspicious as the value of the stolen items well exceeded $250, prompting him to call the owner.
Sage said he eventually went to the home where Cash was staying and found multiple items, including the ladder that had been reported stolen. Those items along with the bicycle, which Cash said he traded for a coat worth $100, were recovered and returned to the owner.
When officers questioned Cash about how he had obtained these items, he claimed to have purchased the contents of the building for $250. Cash also claimed to have entered the building with a key he received upon purchase.
Police then asked Cash to provide evidence of a key that would unlock the building; however, he was unable to do so, which led police to make the arrest.
Cash was booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown at 11:17 p.m. Sunday, where he is being held on a $2,005 bond.
A Level 5 felony carries a sentence of one to six years with an advisory sentence of three years if convicted.