Theft investigation lands 2 Terre Haute suspects in Vermillion Co. Jail

Dennis D. Baugh/Prior book-in Vigo Co. Jail mughshot

 * Headline Correction- one in Parke Jail, one in Vermillion Jail.

By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

VERMILLION COUNTY - A Vermillion County Sheriff's Office theft investigation landed two men in jail a few days apart on robberies reported  at area retailers within hours of the two incidents.
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• Joshua Baugh, 26, of Terre Haute, was booked into the Parke County Jail Monday after being arrested for possession of meth and paraphernalia during the investigation.

 

• Dennis D. Baugh, 50, of Terre Haute,  was arrested at his residence yesterday after a officers executed a search warrant. He was transported to the Vermillion County Jail, where.he is charged with burglary (level 5 felony) and theft (level 6 felony). 

The investigation began Friday, Feb. 8, when Vermillion County Deputy Chad Hennis responded to a theft and burglary report at Tractor Supply in Clinton..

A suspect reportedly entering the store property and stole a Cub Cadet snow blower around 12:30 a.m.. According to a press release, deputies obtained video and other evidence from the scene.

Deputies then responded to a call from another store, Walmart,  for a burglary that had occurred just a few hours later -- around 5:30 a.m.

"Walmart had video of a vehicle entering the property and driving around to the back of the store. A large amount of used batteries were reported missing," A sheriff's office spokesman said, noting that deputies obtained video of the suspect vehicle.

Deputies checked  with scrap yards and asked that they be on the lookout for the vehicle and batteries.
 
According to the report, a local scrap yard notified the sheriff's office Monday that possible suspects were at the business.

Investigators reportedly found 29 used batteries and a truck matching the description from the video. Josh Baugh was taken into custody on drug charges, while the other vehicle occupant was released from the scene. The truck was inventoried and impounded.

Yesterday, Parke and Vermillion County deputies received information that a suspect, Dennis Baugh  was involved in the theft of the batteries and snow blower. Vermillion County Deputies applied for a search warrant for Baugh’s residence in Terre Haute. 

Terre Haute City Police and Indiana State Police assisted Vermillion County with the execution of the search warrant. 

Dennis Baugh remains held in the Vermillion County Jail with bond set at $15,000 ,  10 percent allowed.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the snowblower are encouraged to contact the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office at 765-492-3838.

Assisting Officers: Detective Mike Strader, Deputy Chad Akers, Parke County Sheriff’s Office, Terre Haute Police Department and Indiana State Police.