Stokes
A North Vernon woman was arrested Wednesday in Seymour for fraud and theft after spending more than $10,000 in unauthorized purchases under a company account.
Sarah Chantel Stokes, 23, was charged with theft and fraud, both Level 6 felonies, and was taken to the Jackson County Jail.
According to an incident release from Lt. C.J. Foster with Seymour Police Department, patrol officers received a call on Aug. 13 from Ready House LLC, a project management and maintenance company out of Toccoa, Georgia.
Officials with Ready House advised that firm had subcontracted with S&D Pump Construction and Plumbing to do some work at a residence in Indianapolis that involved replacing a water utility pit for approximately $3,200 on July 2.
After some time, Ready House officials learned the work was never completed and later determined S&D Pump Construction and Plumbing had conducted more than one unauthorized purchase on the Ready House account at the Home Depot store in Seymour.
Items purchased included a zero-turn mower, multiple battery powered tools, a vacuum, numerous car wash supplies and other items totaling over $10,000. Investigators obtained evidence of the incident from the Home Depot in Seymour.
On Wednesday, investigators obtained a search warrant from Jackson Superior Court I for a location at 2585 N. State Road 3, North Vernon. Investigators with the Seymour Police Department along with the North Vernon Police Department executed the search warrant.
During the search, investigators located all but a very small number of the items purchased using the Ready House account at Home Depot.
While at the home, investigators observed four small children living in less than desired conditions. The Indiana Department of Child Services was notified and responded to the location to attend to the children. Interviews were conducted at the scene.
Stokes was arrested at that time and booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown at 5:42 p.m. Wednesday.
The investigation is still ongoing. Seymour police were assisted by officers with the Columbus and North Vernon police department and personnel with the Indiana Department of Child Services.
