Series of thefts near Lake Lemon include trailers, boat, and lawnmower

A Brown County detective is on the heels of a suspect responsible for a string of trailer thefts, one loaded with a boat, in the tranquil Lake Lemon area.

“I fully expect to make an arrest soon,” Brown County Sheriff’s Office Detective Brian Shrader said Tuesday afternoon.

He reported five trailers have gone missing from the area of North Shore Drive, Ind. 45 and South Shore Drive in Brown County in the past few weeks. He said an enclosed cargo trailer and four boat trailers, including one with a jon boat for sale in a yard, have been stolen. Also missing is a John Deere lawnmower.

Shrader didn’t know of any similar thefts near the lake in adjacent Monroe County. He said the person he thinks is responsible isn’t local, and he suspects they have been stealing similar items elsewhere.

A home security camera at a Brown County residence captured images of a red pickup truck the suspect may be driving. Shrader said a maroon van also may be involved.

“There was one trailer we found abandoned, and the rest of them have completely disappeared,” he said.

The total value of the stolen items is about $4,000, the detective said, maybe more. But a bigger loss is that of lake-area residents' peace of mind. They aren't accustomed to worrying about possessions being pilfered.

“It’s very rare for there to be a series of crimes like that around Lake Lemon,” Shrader said. “I’ve been here 15 years and it’s never happened.”

Anyone with information about the thefts, or who has been a victim, can call Shrader at the sheriff’s office, 812-988-6655.

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.