Indianapolis man arrested at rural Franklin home

A man was arrested after a resident reported finding a vehicle at his rural Franklin property and following it until police arrived.

Joseph A. Hendrickson, 36, Indianapolis, was arrested on a charge of theft, criminal mischief and possession of paraphernalia.

A resident called police just before 8 p.m. Monday, saying he had spotted a vehicle on his property along State Road 44, east of Franklin. The resident then followed the vehicle when it left, and deputies stopped the car, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office report.

The resident told deputies a truck on his property had been moved, another truck had its hood open, tools had been used and lights on a piece of equipment were turned on, the report said.

Hendrickson told police he had come to the home to inspect it and look for a suspicious package. He told police he had inspected the truck that was moved, the report said. He also told police he worked for the U.S. Secretary of Defense, the report said.

Sheriff’s deputies also found two pipes and a grinder used for smoking marijuana in Hendrickson’s vehicle, the report said.

Hendrickson, who told police he lives in his car, was arrested and taken to the Johnson County jail, where he was held on $2,000 bond.