Police ketchup to confused set of suspects

Report: Thought tomato plant was marijuana

By: Richelle Bailey | McDowell News
Published: September 14, 2009

It didn't take police long to find the trio they say is responsible for trying to break into a man's car in search of a tomato plant they mistook for a pot plant, investigators say.
The teen operating the getaway vehicle called officers to report that someone damaged his vehicle – the vehicle for which detectives were already hunting in connection with the crime.
Investigator Rick Gutierrez of the Marion Police Department charged 18-year-old Cody Allen Ivers of Deer Hunt Drive in Marion and 19-year-old James Dale Shehan Jr. of Morganton with aiding and abetting attempted breaking and entering and aiding and abetting attempted breaking and entering a motor vehicle.
The case against a 14-year-old male was turned over to juvenile services, which will determine any charges.
On Aug. 3, the three teens went to the Ridge Street home of Ben Capps with the intent of stealing a "pot plant" from the front porch, according to Gutierrez. However, the detective added, it turned out that what the suspects thought was marijuana was actually a tomato plant. They also tried to break into an automobile at Capps' residence, said the investigator.
When Capps spotted the culprits, they fled. Ivers and Shehan jumped back into Ivers' grandmother's vehicle, and the juvenile ran on foot, said Gutierrez.
Capps got to the car and busted the back window out with his fist.
Police were searching for the suspect vehicle when Ivers called the department later that morning to report that someone had damaged it.
Gutierrez stated that Ivers told officers he was just riding down the road and someone smashed the window.