WHITESBURG, Ky. — Police in Letcher County arrested a man Saturday night after responding to a reported truck break-in, an investigation that later connected him to a package theft case, authorities said.
Whitesburg Police were called to Main Street after a vehicle owner reported someone breaking into his truck. Officers reviewed video footage from City Hall and observed the suspect fleeing into the basement of an abandoned building nearby.
Police identified the suspect as 20-year-old Caleb Isaiah Ritchie, who was still inside the building when officers arrived. Authorities said Ritchie was found attempting to hide a backpack and several Christmas gifts in a space between an air conditioning unit and the floor.
After his arrest for the break-in, officers noticed the backpack matched one seen in surveillance footage from a UPS return drop box, where packages had been stolen earlier. Police said Ritchie admitted to taking packages from the box and selling them to obtain food and other items.
Ritchie now faces a felony charge of theft of mail matter, which carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison. He is also charged with misdemeanor trespassing and criminal mischief.
Authorities said Ritchie was later released without bond.
