Sergeant Arbaugh and Detectives Vancleave, Sides, and Richardson were selected for Detectives of the Month for December 2022 for their investigation involving a stolen vehicle and theft of an ATM machine resulting the arrest of four men connected to a group committing these crimes across the country.
On December 15th, Detectives were notified that an attempt was made in Mt. Vernon, IN to steal an ATM from a bank. A stolen truck was utilized in the attempt. Based on experience, Sergeant Arbaugh and his Detectives recognized that this type of crime is usually conducted by criminal gangs from out of state, is preceded by the theft of a heavy-duty pickup, and usually results in extensive financial loss.
Detectives learned that a 1999 Ford F350 was reported as stolen from an East-side apartment complex the same day. Video from the apartment complex showed that a white Toyota Camry rental car was involved in the theft of the truck. A video surveillance search confirmed the truck had been on Green River Road in the vicinity of several financial institutions. Detective Richardson contacted the car rental company and obtained the renter’s information. He then contacted Houston PD, the jurisdiction from which the car was rented, and found that the renter had known gang associates.
Sergeant Arbaugh shared the information with other officers and ATU/FCU detectives looked for the stolen truck. Detective VanCleave located it at another east-side apartment complex on the early evening of December 15th. He also reviewed security video from the complex that showed several males with the Camry previously believed to be involved. Sergeant Arbaugh coordinated with Patrol and the Street Crimes Unit and surveillance was conducted.
Shortly after midnight on December 16th, the suspects were observed returning to the truck briefly and appeared to prepare it for an ATM theft attempt. The suspects left in the Camry and the decision was made to conduct a felony stop on Green River Rd. Four suspects were detained and interviewed at EPD Headquarters by Detectives Sides and Richardson. Evidence was recovered from the stolen truck and the Camry that also implicated the suspects in the Mt. Vernon incident. One suspect admitted that the car was rented for him by his girlfriend.
Sergeant Arbaugh and Detectives Vancleave, Sides and Richardson should all be commended for a job extremely well done. The coordination of this detail resulting in these arrests was nothing less than impressive. Their efforts are a positive reflection of the entire agency
Detective Sides has been selected as Detective of the Month for January 2023 for his impressive investigation into thefts of catalytic converters and the arrest of a suspect in multiple cases.
In early January, Detective Sides began an investigation into a spree of catalytic converter thefts that had occurred at the Dream Center, a Nursing Home and other well-known Evansville businesses. Eight other thefts had occurred in the city over the past few months, but Sides noticed that the most recent spree was different. At that time, Sides did not have enough evidence for an arrest, having only obtained a video of a Chevrolet Avalanche with false plates being driven by a man whose covered face concealed his identity. Detective Sides adamantly refused to give up and rallied the assistance of other detectives, CSU and motor patrol officers.
On January 13th, Detective Sides conducted an after-hours late-night detail with other detectives using all of the best information systems and technology available. Although no arrest was made that night, he saw that on January 19th, the suspect was back in Evansville, driving the same Avalanche. Detective Sides directed motor patrol to Weinbach Avenue, where the suspect was stopped. The driver, Matthew Gunn, had license violations but he insisted he was being harassed for no reason and requested to speak to a Sergeant. Due to his uncooperative nature, Detective Sides decided to forego the interview and instead, the suspect was cited and the car was towed. During a routine inventory of the Avalanche, officers found a reciprocating saw, which they documented as property. A few days later, Gunn retrieved his Avalanche and began traveling great distances throughout southern Indiana and Kentucky. Detective Sides coordinated with investigators in multiple counties in both States to monitor the suspect’s whereabouts. On January 31st, he noted that Gunn had been in the area of a catalytic converter theft in Evansville. Detective Sides discovered that he had taken the stolen converter to an out of town location in order to sell it. Detective Sides went to this location, retrieved the converter and matched the model cut marks with the damage done to the victim’s car. Later that same day, he enlisted the help of motor patrol and stopped Gunn again on Fares Avenue where he took him into custody safely and without force. Gunn was surprised to learn that he was being arrested for the thefts because he had his face covered and did not feel he would be identified. Although Gunn covered his face during the thefts, Sides matched his boots and clothing to recovered surveillance video.
During an interview with Gunn, he admitted to selling over 100 catalytic converters to finance his addiction to heroin and methamphetamine. He often sold the converters using fraudulent paperwork. We believe approximately 10 of the converters were stolen in Evansville and multiple others were stolen from other counties in southern Indiana and Kentucky
