Published: June 01, 2007 09:08 pm      

Arrest made in Gray Mill burglary

Former employee accused of stealing more than $2,000 worth of furniture

LOGANSPORT — A former Gray Mill employee has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $2,000 in furniture from the business’ warehouse in downtown Logansport earlier this year.

On Thursday, Logansport police arrested 21-year-old Michael B. Wilkins of Logansport on a Class C felony burglary charge and two counts of theft.

Wilkins is accused of somehow acquiring a key to the warehouse while employed there and accessing the storage area after business hours.

Wilkins had been employed at The Gray Mill for two or three months, according to police, and he was not authorized to have the key.

The theft occurred in late February or early March. Michael Graybeal of The Gray Mill reported that furniture had been stolen from the warehouse. He said it had to be somebody with a key.

Items stolen included a Broyhill loveseat, an Italian leather sofa and matching ottoman worth approximately $2,800. An undetermined amount of used furniture was also taken, according to police.

The theft was discovered when the furniture could not be located for delivery.

Graybeal told police who had keys to the warehouse and that the locks had been changed in April.

Later, Graybeal called police with a tip as to who might have stolen the furniture and police followed up. When police questioned one of the people, he immediately provided information as to who committed the theft.

Wilkins allegedly used two trucks that belonged to and were driven by his neighbors. Wilkins reportedly had the drivers back their trucks up to the loading dock as he went inside the building and turned on the lights. The theft took place around 7 or 8 p.m., according to the investigation report.

The furniture was reportedly moved to an address in the 1100 block of High Street.

No charges have been filed against the people who reportedly helped Wilkins move the furniture. When asked about the incident, they provided investigators with details of the crime, which led to Wilkins.

Wilkins assured those involved that his boss said it was OK to take the used furniture, according to police. They told investigators they did not receive any compensation for assisting.

Wilkins remains incarcerated in the Cass County Jail on a $5,000 cash/$25,000 surety bond.

Kevin Lilly can be reached at (574) 732-5117, or via e-mail at kevin.lilly@pharostribune.com