Stolen Vehicle Found With Suspects, Drugs Inside

On March 5, 2023, Franklin County 911 was contacted by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office regarding the possible location of a F-250 Ford truck which had been stolen from the Bourbon area on March 4th, 2023. Franklin County Deputies were provided the description of the stolen vehicle, suspect information, and a possible location of it.  Deputies responded to the area of Redbud Drive in Lonedell where the vehicle was last seen.  Upon arriving in the area, a deputy located the stolen vehicle at a residence in the 400 block of Nancy Drive. As other deputies arrived on the scene, they converged on the vehicle and found it occupied by a male driver and female passenger. 

Both occupants were taken into custody without incident. Upon further investigation, deputies confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen out of Crawford County. Upon conducting a search of the vehicle a firearm and suspected methamphetamine were located. Both suspects were arrested and transported to the Franklin County Adult Detention Facility. 

In custody warrants were applied for and obtained on the male suspect identified as Michael S. Paubel a 42-year-old male from the Sullivan area.  Warrants issued were for the charges of Tampering with Vehicle 1st degree, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, and Receiving Stolen Property with no bond. Paubel is also being held on fugitive warrants from the jurisdictions of Eureka, Sullivan, and Jefferson County. Paubel was released from the Department of Corrections on January 30, 2023 to probationary status on previous charges related to Felony Stealing and Tampering with Motor Vehicles.

The name of the female suspect is being withheld as charges will be filed with the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

I wanted to commend the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Crawford County Sheriff Layman for their assistance in the recovery of the stolen vehicle and apprehension of the suspect. Criminals have no boundaries on crimes that are committed. This is an example of law enforcement working together for the betterment of all our citizens.

All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.


Steven Pelton

Franklin County Sheriff