SEYMOUR—On August 13, 2024, patrol officers with the Seymour Police Department received a call from Ready House LLC, a project management and maintenance company out of Toccoa, Georgia. Ready House advised that they subcontracted S&D Pump Construction and Plumbing to do some work at a residence in Indianapolis, Indiana, that involved replacing a water utility pit for approximately $3,200.00 on July 2, 2024.
After some time, Ready House learned that the work was never completed. It later learned that S&D Pump Construction and Plumbing had conducted more than one unauthorized purchase on the Ready House Home Depot account in Seymour, Indiana. Items purchased included a zero-turn mower, multiple battery-powered tools, a vacuum, numerous car wash supplies, and other items totaling over $10,000.00. Investigators obtained evidence of the incident from the Home Depot in Seymour.
On August 28, 2024, Investigators obtained a Jackson Superior Court 1 Search Warrant for a location at 2585 N SR 3 North Vernon, Indiana 47265. Investigators with the Seymour Police Department, along with investigators and officers with the North Vernon Police Department, executed the search warrant. During the execution of the search warrant, investigators located all but a very small number of the items purchased using the Ready House Home Depot account.
While at the residence, investigators observed four small children at the residence that were living in less than desired conditions. The Indiana Department of Child Services was notified and responded to the location to attend to the children.
Investigators conducted interviews at the scene. As a result of the investigation, investigators arrested Sarah C. Stokes, age 23, of North Vernon, Indiana, for fraud and theft. Stokes was taken to the Jackson County Jail and remanded into the custody of the jail division.
The investigation is still ongoing. The Seymour Police Department was assisted by the Columbus Police Department, North Vernon Police Department, and the Indiana Department of Child Services.
