State police recover hundreds of stolen items in home search

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

Indiana State police say that a Columbus home was full of thousands of dollars worth of stolen items when they served a search warrant Monday. The Keller Avenue search also yielded methamphetamine, counterfeit money and two people were arrested.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

Police were looking for a fugitive when they went to the home in the 1900 block of Keller Avenue Monday afternoon, according to Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the state police. Police say a search revealed more than two ounces of what they believe was methamphetamine, counterfeit money and hundreds of stolen items. They say the search and cataloging the items took more than a day.  State police say that the stolen items were taken both from area stores and from thefts from individual victims.

And many victims have been contacted so they can retrieve their items.

Homeowner Jason D. Warren and his girlfriend Rhonda A. Oliphant, who are both 44 years old, were arrested on numerous charges.

Photo courtesy of Indiana State Police.

Warren is facing preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine. a syringe and stolen property, maintaining a common nuisance, and and counterfeiting.

Oliphant was arrested on preliminary charges of dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, a syringe and stolen property and visiting a common nuisance.

State Police was assisted by the Columbus Police Department, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Decatur County Sheriff’s Department and Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.