GPD investigation starts with Walmart theft, ends with suspects hiding in apartment

Courtesy photo

An investigation that began with a reported theft from the Walmart employee break room led to a series of other recent crimes, Greencastle City Police report.

City officers were initially called to the Walmart store, 1750 Indianapolis Rd., at 4:48 a.m. Sept. 15 to investigate the reported theft.

Walmart officials indicated that an employee had discovered multiple personal effects missing from the break room area. A review of in-store surveillance footage revealed that David Baugh, 35, Paragon, entered the store and made his way into the employee break room area at approximately 1:30 a.m.

Baugh was reportedly observed exiting the store and getting into a green 1996 Ford Taurus driven by Andrea Tillberry, 24, of Cloverdale, before fleeing the scene, GPD reports note.

Less than an hour later, at approximately 5:47 a.m., Officers Brad Hiatt and Zach Rhine and Capt. Charles Inman were called to the 1000 block of Castlebury Drive on a report of a theft in progress.

Putnam County 911 had received two calls reporting that unknown persons had been seen stealing bicycles and loading them into a car parked in front of 1007 Castlebury Drive. Once on the scene, officers determined the suspect vehicle matched the green Ford Taurus observed on video at Walmart.

Eyewitnesses to the suspicious activity directed police to 1007 Castlebury Drive, Apartment B, warning that suspects inside had been seen brandishing a handgun. The apartment tenant reported that several subjects were hiding inside and granted officers consent to search his home.

Officers made repeated verbal commands, instructing those inside to reveal themselves. With no response, entry was made into the residence where four adults were found hiding.

Baugh and Tillberry, who were discovered hiding in the bathroom area, were found to be in possession of a handgun, as described by eyewitnesses.

Jared Hornaday, 29, of Fillmore, was discovered hiding in a hallway closet. Hornaday was later found to be in possession of methamphetamine and was subsequently arrested for both that offense as well as resisting law enforcement.

Miscellaneous drug-related paraphernalia was discovered throughout the apartment, police said.

Further investigation led to the discovery of several hypodermic syringes, glass smoking pipes, butane torches, a digital scale device, eight cellular phones, a second handgun and a variety of additional miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, according to GPD reports.

The suspect vehicle also yielded a large plastic bag containing several precursors to the manufacture of methamphetamine, including lithium batteries, iodized salt, sulphuric acid, camping fuel, coffee filters, a butane torch and coffee filters.

City Police report that Baugh faces preliminary charges of two counts of theft, possession of methamphetamine, reckless possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession of a synthetic cannabinoid, possession of precursors, possession of a syringe and resisting law enforcement.

Hornaday reportedly faces charges of possession of methamphetamine and resisting law enforcement.

It should be noted that all arrest charges are preliminary, subject to prosecutorial review.

Primary investigating Officer Brad Hiatt, Officer Zach Rhine and Capt. Inman were assisted on scene by Officers Darrel Bunten and Josh Smith, Reserve Officer Billy Wallace and Capt. Chris Jones.