Full Notification

Update #2- Robbery Turns Deadly as Store Owner Killed

Scott County-Today, Scott County Prosecutor, Jason Mount, filed official charges in the Scott County Circuit Court against two individuals in some fashion or form either before, during or after were allegedly involved with the Robbery of John’s Coin and Jewelry. One of those same individuals is charged in the murder of John Turner, the store owner.

*James Matthew Caudill, 21, Water Tower Road, Austin, IN, was charged with, 1) Murder, 2) Felony Murder, 3) Robbery Causing Serious Bodily Injury, 4) Robbery with a Deadly Weapon, 5) Resisting Law Enforcement, 6) Obstruction of Justice 7) Carrying a Handgun without a License, Additional Penalty for the Use of a Firearm during a Crime. He was also charged with 8) Robbery, 9) Carrying a Handgun without a License, Additional Penalty for the Use of a Firearm during a Crime. 10) Pointing a Firearm at a Person, and 11) Criminal Confinement for the Robbery that took place at the Fuel Mart Truck Stop in Austin that occurred on October 11, 2015.

* Christopher M. Caudill, 31, Water Tower Road, Austin, IN, was charged with, 1) Assisting a Criminal, 2) Theft, 3) Obstruction of Justice, 4) Carrying a Handgun without a License, 5) Dealing in Methamphetamine, 6) Possession of Methamphetamine, and 7) Possession of Paraphernalia.

Both of these individuals remain incarcerated at the Scott County Jail.

This investigation is continuing with further charges and arrests possible.

Media Note-Photos of the arrested are attached to this release. James Caudill has hair and Christopher Caudill is bald.

Media Review Below-

On Monday November 9th, at approximately 2:30 pm, officers from the Indiana State Police, Austin City Police Department and Scott County Sheriff’s Department went to 5221 Water Tower Road just north of the Austin City Limits. Officers went there to execute a search warrant and locate James Matthew Caudill and Ginger Cox. Both of these subjects were wanted out of Scott County for auto theft. When officers arrived at the residence, James Matthew Caudill and his brother, Christopher M. Caudill were in a wooded area near the home and were taken into custody by troopers.

Ginger Cox was located hiding inside of the residence and was also taken into custody by troopers.

After a search was completed on the residence and property, money, jewelry and other items were located allegedly associated with the Robbery/Murder of John Turner that occurred Saturday afternoon.

A total of four people were arrested as a result of that investigation.

Austin-Saturday, November 7th, shortly after 3:30 pm, someone entered John’s Coin and Jewelry Shop located at 61 West Main Street in Austin and robbed, shot and killed the shop owner, John M Turner, 79, from Austin.

John was located by a family member in the shop and 911 was called. The Austin City Police Department and the Scott County EMS responded to what they initially thought was a medical emergency. When a doctor and the Scott County Coroner’s Office examined John M. Turner at the hospital, they noticed a wound on the victim’s head that was not consistent to the medical issue as first thought and more consistent with foul play.

The investigation immediately turned into a death investigation with the Austin City Police Department requesting the assistance of the Indiana State Police.

Indiana State Police Crime Scene Technicians and detectives processed the crime scene then immediately began following leads.

On 11-9-2015, an autopsy was performed on John M. Turner at the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville, KY. The autopsy revealed the preliminary cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head of John M. Turner. The official cause of death will not be determined until all of the autopsy results are complete which usually takes up to six weeks.

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Sgt. Jerry D. Goodin

All Subjects are Innocent Until and Unless Proven Guilty in a Court of Law