WHITE COUNTY — The White County Sheriff’s Office has made two arrests in connection with two oil field thefts and a burglary at Union Ridge Cemetery.

According to White County Sheriff Doug Meier, Sgt. Craig Poole was following up with investigators of the burglary at Union Ridge Cemetery when a Crime Stopper tip led the investigation to New Haven in Gallatin County. Sgt. Poole met with Sheriff Meier and Gallatin County Sheriff Shannon Bradley.

A stolen John Deere Gator was found at 424 Market Street in New Haven. Thirty-eight-year-old Joseph Webb and 25-year-old Samantha Wheatley lived there. They were both arrested by Sheriff Bradley for possession of stolen property at this time.

The John Deere Gator along with a Stihl chain saw, Stihl hedge trimmer, ECHO leaf blower, ECHO weed eater and a DeWALT air compressor were recovered at two locations in New Haven. Several oil field valves were also recovered that were believed to be stolen from White County.

The couple were taken to the White County Jail in Carmi , where they were interviewed by Sgt. Poole and Sheriff Maier. Based on their statement, the couple was charged with two counts of theft and criminal damage in reference to the oil field thefts and one county of burglary and criminal damage in reference to Union Ridge Cemetery.

White County State’s Attorney Denton Aud authorized the charges and obtained a bond of $100,000 on each subject.