Published: October 15, 2009 09:15 pm      

Another suspect arrested in theft

PALESTINE — Local law enforcement authorities on Thursday arrested the third suspect wanted in connection with last month’s theft of jewelry and a laptop computer from an Elkhart area residence.

Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said representatives of the Anderson County Drug Task Force arrested 19-year-old Ignatius Lee Plumber of Palestine around 11:45 a.m. Thursday as the man walked near the intersection of West Oak Street and Court Drive in Palestine.

As of late Thursday afternoon, Plumber remained in the Anderson County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond on the charge of engaging in organized criminal activity.

Two other suspects in the crime -- 18-year-old Jamison Rhome Starkes and 18-year-old Maurice Jerome Cumby II, both of Palestine -- were arrested earlier this month and both also remain in the Anderson County Jail.

Starkes is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond on the charge of engaging in organized criminal activity, while Cumby is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond on the charge of felony theft.

The three men are charged in connection with a theft occurring Sept. 7 at a residence in the 10000 block of Texas 294 West, west of Elkhart, according to Taylor.

Authorities have said a set of Eternity wedding rings valued at a total of $1,300 and a laptop valued at $360 were taken during the offense.

The ring set has been recovered, but authorities have yet to recover the laptop, according to Taylor.

Authorities have said two of the suspects were at the residence sometime shortly before the items came up missing.

The third suspect benefited from proceeds derived from the stolen items, according to authorities.

Taylor said his investigators do not believe any other persons participated in the crime.

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Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com