Police Break Up Home Invasion Robbery in Progress; Leads To Cache Of Drugs

By Mike Perleberg (left to right) William Spaulding, Cain Probst, Steven Couch II, Tyler Couch, and Melissa Spaulding. Photos by Dearborn County Sheriff's Department. (Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Four men are accused of taking part in a home invasion robbery in Greendale while armed with guns and a baseball bat. According to a court affidavit, local police responded to a 911 call about an robbery and burglary in prograss at a home on Craig Avenue on Saturday afternoon, April 29. William S. Spaulding, Steven D. Couch II, Tyler J. Couch and Cain Probst barged into the home. They allegedly used guns and the bat to make threats against the residents. A woman was beaten while a man was pistol whipped while trying to stop the attack, the affidavit states. One female resident who had hidden in a bedroom ran from the home and to a neighbor's home yelling for 911 to be called. Officers arrived at the home before each of the suspects could get away. They were immediately taken into custody. Three 9mm handguns were quickly recovered, each loaded and with rounds in the chambers. The victims told investigators that the robbers were demanding answers about stolen drugs and money. The investigation led officers to Spaulding's home in on Briar Ridge Road in Aurora, the affidavit states. There, police found marijuana and 175 Xanax and alprazolam pills, which are controlled substances. Ledgers found at the home indicated that Spaulding was dealing the drugs. Police also discovered two handgun pistol cases with serial numbers matching the guns used in the robbery. Spaulding's wife, Melissa Spaulding, was home during the execution of the search warrant and was taken into custody. Steven Couch and Probst each allegedly admitted to their roles in the home invasion during police questioning. Tyler Couch had ran from the scene and remains at-large as of Tuesday, the Dearborn County Prosecutor's Office said. A laundry list of charges have been filed against the suspects. William Spaulding, Steven Couch, Tyler Couch, and Cain Probst are all charged with Burglary of a Dwelling Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (level 1 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Burglary of a Dwelling Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (level 1 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (level 3 felony), Criminal Confinement While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (level 3 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Confinement While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (level 5 felony), and Conspiracy to Commit Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (level 5 felony). A level 1 felony in Indiana is punishable by 20 to 40 years in prison. Steven Couch, William Spaulding, and Probst each face an additional charge of Pointing a Firearm (Loaded) at Another Person. Probst, 20, faces an additional charge of Robbery While Armed with a Deadly Weapon (level 3 felony). Steven Couch, 23, is also charged with Carrying a Handgun without a License. William Spauling, 52, and Melissa V. Spaulding, 49, are each charged with Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (level 3 felony), Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in a Schedule IV Controlled Substance (level 3 felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance (level 6 felony), and Dealing in Marijuana (class A misdemeanor).