Aaron Wallen, 47, faces charges of theft, in addition to outstanding arrest warrants, after Indiana Conservation Officers witnessed him stealing items from a parked vehicle near a trailhead at the state park this afternoon.
In response to multiple reports of thefts from unattended parked cars at the state park during the past week, conservation officers and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department set up and observed a “bait” car.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m. a conservation officer observed Wallen open the unlocked door of the car and remove items. After a conservation officer made contact, Wallen fled on foot into the woods but was apprehended shortly thereafter and arrested without incident.
It was later determined that Wallen was on parole and had multiple outstanding felony arrest warrants.
The investigation is still ongoing by DNR Law Enforcement and the Clark County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with further information concerning this investigation is encouraged to call Indiana Conservation Officers’ Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536 or anonymously call 1-800-TIP-IDNR, or call the Clark County Sheriff’s Department at 812-283-4471.
Indiana Conservation Officers routinely patrol the state’s DNR properties in an effort to ensure the safe use. Citizens are urged to report suspicious or criminal activity by the numbers listed above.
All charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.