Victim in car theft ring in Boone County speaks out

It started with a single 911 call.

"I believe someone just stole my husband's car from our house," said the victim.

That 911 call was just the beginning.  In all, 15 cars in the Royal Run Subdivision and the Russell Lake Area were involved.  Ten cars broken into and five were stolen, including the car belonging to Dawson Riley.

"I come out to get in the car and I notice the steering wheel up and I smelled tremendous nicotine," said Riley.

Whoever took his car, took it for a spin and brought it back.  Riley said a fourth of a tank of gas was used in the joyride.  Riley admitted, until his car was taken, he always left his doors unlocked but not anymore.

"It is just an invitation really, but I feel very violated, frankly," said Dawson.

Royal Run resident Jon Oliver said sadly, this neighborhood has been hit before.

"If you can walk down the street and open every other car door, they have got that knowledge that they can go ahead and do that sort of stuff here," said Riley.

Law enforcement caught up with the trio and they took off, a chase down 334 followed.

The three men crashed into a power pole.  After the car hit the pole, the passengers stayed in the car.  The driver took off across the road and into the woods.  He was later seen walking down I-65.

It caught Whitestown Police Officer Ezra Clemons by surprise.

"Sometimes these things just present themselves to you," said Officer Clemons.

After trying to catch the three men, he saw one of them, as he was heading home after his shift.

"I saw a gentleman walking, on the highway, who fit the description of the third suspect that did escape during the car chase and subsequent apprehension of the other two suspects," said Clemons.

For victim Dawson Riley, he is just glad it is over.

"It is something that can happen to anybody," said Riley.  "It is not fun and it could have been a lot worse than what mine was.