Observant neighbor halts burglary

On Sept. 27, Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller and Detective Brad Naugle arrested Wendy L. White Norris, 39, Shelbyville and Lillian Cobb, 29, Indianapolis for burglary, a Level 5 felony and several drug related charges. 

According to a probable cause affidavit from Washington County Prosecutor Dustin Houchin’s office, Miller and Naugle observed a suspicious vehicle outside a vacant home on Grandview Road around 6 p.m. on Sept. 27. The vehicle was a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser parked just off the roadway with a female passenger. The officers observed another female walking toward the car. 

Miller walked around the passenger side to the front of the car, according to the report, and noticed the female, who was later identified as Norris, was attempting to hide or conceal something in her right hand.

Miller asked the subject what was in her hand and Naugle said Norris appeared to be trying to hide something in the waistband of her shorts. 

Miller got control of Norris’ left arm and Naugle got her right arm and placed her in cuffs. 

The passenger was identified as Cobb. 

A glass paraphernalia pipe, which Naugle said is commonly used for smoking methamphetamine fell from Norris’ shorts and she tried to kick it into the weeds three times and stomp it with her foot. 

Naugle also observed in the vehicle a tied corner baggie containing a white substance, which his training and experience led him to believe was methamphetamine. He also noticed several other drug paraphernalia items. 

Norris and Cobb said they had been visiting friends in Washington County from Indianapolis. After denying several times about whether or not they had entered the vacant property and the outbuilding, they admitted they had been inside, which is the reason for the burglary charge. 

Miller said a neighbor alerted authorities about the suspicious vehicle. He said he encourages everyone to be proactive in observing their surroundings. 

“We appreciate the citizen who noticed the vehicle at the vacant house and called it in,” Miller said. “That is a great example of ‘if you see something say something’ and we encourage the people of Washington County to do that.” 

In addition to burglary, Norris is facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor. 

Cobb is facing possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony, possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor, in addition to her burglary charge. 

At this point Cobb and Norris are just being charged and are to be considered innocent of those charges until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are often dropped or lessened.

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