Stolen items recovered during traffic stop

Two local men were arrested after Columbus police officers found stolen items in the suspects’ vehicle during a traffic stop.

Columbus police officer Michael Butler stopped the vehicle for a minor traffic violation at 2 a.m. Sunday in the 2100 block of North National Road, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

While speaking with the driver, Butler noticed that two passengers inside the vehicle appeared nervous, Harris said.

A short time later, officers confirmed that the back-seat passenger, Cody J. Spencer, 21, of 727 Cottage Ave., had a local warrant for his arrest, Harris said. After a short struggle with officers, Spencer was removed from the vehicle and arrested on charges of resisting law enforcement and the Bartholomew County warrant.

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Officers determined the front-seat passenger, Ethen A. Robertson, 19, of 3127 13th St., also had a warrant for his arrest, Harris said.

When searching Robertson, officers found items that were recently reported stolen from a local department store, and a tablet and cellphone that were reported stolen by the owner, Harris said. Robertson was arrested on charges of theft and possession of stolen property and the Bartholomew County warrant, Harris said.

Spencer is being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $8,500 bond, jail officials said. Robertson is being held at the jail in lieu of $7,500 bond, they said.