Local man in wrecker business for 50 years accused of theft

Eddie Felling, Bob Durr and Robert Eberhardt at a 2015 BPWS meeting/ICN file photo

 By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

A local man in the wrecker business for more than 50 years was arrested on a warrant this morning following a 15-month Terre Haute Police Department investigation. 

Robert W. Durr, 73, Terre Haute. Was booked into the Vigo County Jail at 10:45 a.m. He is charged with  three counts of corrupt business influence; three counts of auto theft, 42 counts of perjury, and 42 counts of forgery.

He  appeared in Div. 3 Court today where the arrest warrants were reportedly served after a search warrant was executed at the Durr residence Friday.  

"Items of interest were seized as a result of the search warrant," Public Information Officer Ryan Adamson said.

The investigation reportedly began following a citizen complaint regarding Durr’s Towing, alleging that the business had stolen the complainants’ vehicle.  Further investigation revealed an allegedly ongoing practice of corruption between Oct. 1, 2015 and Dec. 31, 2015. The business has since been sold to new owners, Keller Logistics, in January 2016. 

"An investigation began, at which point it was determined that there were many anomalies in regards to the sale of police impounds as well as vehicles towed from auto accident scenes.  During the investigation it was learned that falsified mechanics liens had been produced with false information in regards to vehicle ownership," Adamson said.    

Durr had previously been accused of overcharging customers.

He addressed the Terre Haute Board of Public Works and Safety at its September 2015 meeting in City Hall regarding a letter he received from Terre Haute Police Chief John Plasse regarding his contract with the city being suspended for two weeks --- after the chief alleged overcharging by the company on a Saturday and Sunday. He denied any wrongdoing at that time, noting the city had a contract with his business for more than 20 years.

The Indiana State University Police Department and the Fraud Investigation Unit at the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles assisted THPD in the investigation.
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