Man Accused Of Stealing Fuel, Oil From Business; Allegedly Sold To Uncle

By Mike Perleberg Steven Linville. Photo by Ripley County Sheriff's Dept. (Osgood, Ind.) - An Osgood man is accused of stealing more than $100,000 worth of fuel, oil, antifreeze, and washer fluid from his former employer. Steven Linville, 46, was arrested Monday on 17 counts of Theft and 17 more counts of Making/Delivering False Sales Documents. All charges are level 6 felonies punishable by six months up to 2 ½ years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Indiana State Police say that the items that Linville stole the goods from Laughery Valley Ag Co-Op in Osgood over the course of a year when he was previously employed there. The stolen fuel and oil was then allegedly sold to Bob’s Service Station in Osgood, which is owned by Linville’s uncle and Ripley County Commissioner Bob Linville. Laughery Valley Ag Co-Op reported the theft to police last November. An arrested warrant for Steven Linville was served at his home on early Monday morning, state police said. He posted a $1,050 bond to get out of jail later Monday. Ripley County Prosecutor Ric Hertel last week asked a judge to consider appointing a special prosecutor to a case involving a county commissioner. ISP say no further charges or arrests are expected in the case at this time. A civil lawsuit was filed by Laughery Valley Ag Co-Op in Ripley Superior Court on December 17. It names Steven Linville and his wife, Bob Linville, and Bob's Service Station as defendants. A motion to dismiss the lawsuit was filed on January 29, according to online court records. RELATED STORIES: Prosecutor: County Commissioner, Former Prosecutor Office Employee Under Investigation