Winamac man arrested for theft accused of multi county theft spree

A Winamac man continues to add more felonies on to his record after a series of crimes that spanned across four counties recently. The crimes ranged from stolen vehicles and farming equipment, fleeing police, and drug charges. 

According to court documents on May 5, a Jasper County farmer near Rensselaer reported that a white semi-truck and flatbed trailer loaded with seed and a 2,500-gallon fertilizer tank had been stolen from his property. Later that day police received a separate theft report from a construction site at Fair Oaks Park that involved a missing Caterpillar mini excavator and a Takeuchi skid steer.

One of the stolen machine's GPS data sent police to a property near Russellville in Putnam County, where the stolen semi and farm equipment were soon recovered. A green trailer and a 2024 Kawasaki side-by-side utility vehicle that had been reported stolen from a VFW in Clay County on May 6 was also found on the property. The bike's ignition had been tampered with by a screwdriver. An investigation revealed other items found at the property that were linked to thefts from several other counties as well. The total value of property recovered related to the Jasper County thefts and other items linked to thefts in several other counties was reported to exceed $500,000, thus far. 

Witnesses from the property told investigators that Scott Rector, 54, of Winamac, brought the stolen vehicles and equipment to the property and claimed to have digital messages as proof of Rector being linked to the theft. Rector was eventually charged in connection with the thefts and was booked in the Jasper County Jail. Rector faces three counts of theft of property valued over $50,000, Level 5 felonies; resisting law enforcement using a vehicle, a Level 6 felony in Jasper County. Rector is also facing charges in Clay County of auto theft, a Level 6 felony; and in White County for theft of property valued over $50,000, Level 5 felony. 

Prosecutors have already filed a habitual offender enhancement, citing Rector’s previous felony convictions for theft in Pulaski County in 2021, theft in Park County in 2022, and Resisting Law Enforcement in Jasper County in 2011. Further evidence collected during the investigation indicates a theft ring that may span across multiple counties throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Additional Indiana counties involved in the investigation include Pulaski, Jasper, White, Putnam, Vigo, Clay, Newton, and Tippecanoe. Investigators believe there are many other victims that have yet to officially come forward about thefts. 

Roy W. Poynter, 46, of Russellville, Putnam County, Indiana, was also been arrested for his involvement with Rector and the theft ring. Investigators say they anticipate additional arrests as the case continues to uncover the full extent of the theft ring.