Bethany Luking, Dustin Luking
VINCENNES, Ind. (ADAMS) – The case against former Vincennes Police Chief Dustin Luking and his wife involves stolen money, stolen drugs, and years of questionable actions.
Investigators arrested Luking and his wife, Bethany, yesterday. Prosecutors say the former chief stole $14,000 between 2013 and 2016 while serving as Vincennes’ chief.
He left that job in 2019 as investigators started asking questions about another $35,000 that had gone missing from the city’s evidence vault. Prosecutors have charged his wife with stealing drugs from the Bettye J. McCormick Senior Center in Vincennes, where she worked.
Indiana State Police released the following on Wednesday:
Earlier today, former Vincennes Police Chief Dustin Luking, 48, was arrested on several criminal charges stemming from a criminal investigation after money was discovered missing from the Vincennes Police Department. The criminal investigation was initiated in July 2019. Luking resigned from the Vincennes Police Department in October 2019.
During the investigation involving Dustin Luking, Indiana State Police Detective Sergeant Greg Ashby revealed over $35,000 had been taken from the evidence vault and Luking allegedly used the funds for personal use. An Indiana State Board of Accounts audit revealed several additional discrepancies involving Luking. The audit revealed over $14,000 was used by Luking for personal use between 2013-2016. After the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the investigation, an arrest warrant was issued this morning for Luking.
Arrested and Charges:
Dustin J. Luking, 48, 1606 16th Street, Lawrenceville, IL.
Theft, Level 5 Felony
Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony
Forgery, Level 6 Felony
Investigation involving Bethany J. Shelton Luking
In August 2019, Indiana State Police investigated a theft of prescription medication at the Bettye J. McCormick Senior Center in Vincennes where Bethany J. Shelton Luking, 49, was employed. The investigation was reviewed by the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office and a warrant was issued earlier today for her arrest. Luking was charged with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deceit, Level 6 Felony.
Dustin Luking and his wife, Bethany, were arrested this morning without incident. Dustin Luking was arrested at Toyota Boshoku in Lawrenceville, IL, by the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department. Bethany Luking was arrested at their residence in Lawrenceville, IL, by the Lawrenceville Police Department. They are both currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail and awaiting extradition.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
