JOHNSON COUNTY, Ind. – A Franklin man is in disbelief after recovering his stolen semi-tractor and trailer hours after it went missing. Facing long odds, the man took advantage with the suspect slipped up.
In retrospect, Josh Minton says it wasn’t a good idea to leave the keys to his semi in the flip-down visor. It allowed someone to take the semi and trailer Tuesday morning at the family farm, south of Franklin.
“He had $5,000 worth of grain, plus the price of the trailer and my semi,” Minton said.
But later that day at his home (a different location than the farm), Minton says he looked out his window and couldn’t believe his eyes.
His semi drove right past. Minton says he knew instantly it was his, based on the hydraulic tank on the back.
“There are some semis out there that have it,” he said. “But it’s a custom tank we built here at our shop.”
Minton jumped in his truck and for 10 miles, he followed in close pursuit.
“I was on the phone with 911 the whole entire time, giving them step-by-step, turn-by-turn (directions),” Minton said.
The suspect eventually ditched the semi in Shelby County, and after investigators brought out the K-9 unit, William McClintock was arrested on preliminary charges of theft, resisting arrest and a warrant out of Bartholomew County. A woman was with him; Amanda Bates was arrested and booked in the Shelby County Jail on a preliminary charge of resisting arrest.
As far as the chances of seeing his stolen semi drive right past his house?
“One in a million,” Minton said. “What are the chances he’s going to drive right past me?”
Whether it was fate or just dumb luck, Minton says he knows one thing for certain.
“Absolutely all keys will be pulled out,” he said. “It shows you can't trust anyone.”
-----
Follow Mike Pelton on Twitter: @MikePeltonRTV6
