Published: August 17, 2009 10:35 pm         

Waveland man arrested for theft

WAVELAND — Indiana Conservation Officers arrested a Waveland man Sunday on theft charges.

Bruce E. Rudd, 31, was arrested shortly after 1 p.m. near the town of Marshall. Conservation Officer Max Winchell reported in a news release that he set up surveillance on the Sugar Valley Canoe Rental parking area and observed Rudd allegedly enter two separate vehicles and take items from them.

Rudd has been charged with two counts of class-D felony theft; one count of possession of stolen property, a class-D felony; possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, a class-D felony; and driving while suspended with a prior conviction, a class-A misdemeanor.

According to the news release, customers of Sugar Valley Canoe Rental reported in recent weeks that their vehicles had been broken into and various items stolen. Approximately 15 separate thefts were reported.

The release stated that more charges may be filed as the investigation continues and that some of the items that were stolen in recent weeks have been recovered.

Rudd was taken to the Parke County Jail and appeared in court Monday. The Parke County Sheriff’s Office took initial reports of the break-ins and assisted in the investigation.