Sunday afternoon around 1:42 PM, the White County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from Steven W. Barker in reference to a burglary that had taken place at his late mother’s residence at 1126 Valter Drive in Carmi.Barker, who lives in Shawneetown, had been advised by a neighbor to the residence, Shelly K. Taylor, who observed a female subject carrying items from the home to a residence next door. It was uncertain how the subject or subjects entered the residence, as Officers observed all the doors were locked and the windows were intact. There were some items on the porch and a large number of items in and around a blue dumpster that had been placed near the road for removal.
Deputy Spencer went to 1118 Valter Driver in an attempt to make contact with anyone at the residence. He spoke with Melinda Rankin and Katheryn L. Hall. Hall stated that she had removed a pink and brown rug from the dumpster and had also taken a few other things from the dumpster, including a small glass bottle containing cooking herbs, and a white and red ceramic canister with the word “DASH” on it. Hall told Deputy Spencer that she had not entered the home and did not have keys to the home. Rankin stated she had been told by a male subject she believed to be the late owner’s son that she could take any items from the dumpster that she wanted. Hall stated she would return the items to the dumpster if the owner wished. Both subjects were advised to maintain possession of the property until the owner could be contacted about the matter. The investigation continues.
