Man Steals Three Cars in One Night
by Ben Hogwood

A Jeffersonville man stole three cars, damaging two of them and a
lawnmower in the process, in an attempt to get home from Morrisville on
Thursday, May 6.
Morristown Police charged Michael Barup, 22, with stealing three
vehicles, causing damage to one of them, and negligent operation of a
vehicle for his antics after leaving a bar.
According to the affidavit, Barup parked his car on Hutchins Street and
walked to a nearby bar. When he returned, he discovered his keys, which
he had left in the vehicle, were missing. This angered him, so he
smashed the steering column. He then started the truck by overriding the
ignition, court papers state.
When Barup's truck broke down en route to a friend's house, he steered
it into a cornfield where he "threw a fit," according to the affidavit.
He kicked in both the front and the rear windshields. Barup then walked
to his mother's house but found the doors locked with nobody answering.
He discovered keys were in a small white car, so he took that car and
drove towards a friend's house.
While on Bridge Street, Barup saw some lawnmowers belonging to a man he
knew. Barup told police he didn't like the man, so he ran the car into
the lawnmowers. A witness said he did this more than once, then drove
away, sideswiping a telephone pole.
He continued to the friend's house, but again got no answer. There he
spotted another vehicle and, seeing the keys still in it, drove it to
yet another aquaintance's. When there was again no answer, Barup
allegedly heisted the nearest vehicle, a jeep, and drove it to
Jeffersonville. He arrived at his residence, where he lives with his
grandmother, at approximately 4:30 a.m., court papers state.
At 5:30 a.m., Barup called the Morristown Police Department to report
his truck as stolen. However, Barup told his grandmother, an hour before
speaking with police, that he already knew where the truck was located.
Police picked Barup up at 11:45 a.m. on May 6 and arrested him. Barup
told police about how he took the cars in an attempt to find somewhere
to sleep.
Barup pled not guilty at his arraignment on Monday, May 17.