PRESS RELEASE – Wapello County Sheriff’s Office

On June 6th, 2022, at approximately 10:41 A.M., a concerned citizen contacted the Wapello County Sheriff’ Office and explained that he found a recently burnt vehicle in a farm field near 12286 Sycamore Road. Deputies responded and began to process the scene. Deputies believed the vehicle was a Ford Mustang; public vehicle identification numbers and license plates were a total loss and not present.

At approximately 1:05 P.M., the Ottumwa Police Department was dispatched to Vernon Street in Ottumwa to field a vehicle-theft report. The vehicle stolen was a Ford Mustang and was reported to have been stolen during the overnight hours. The Sheriff’s Office was able to locate hidden VIN numbers on the burnt vehicle and positively identify it as the stolen vehicle. Investigators with the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office and Ottumwa Police Department conducted a joint investigation and identified WESLEY AARON RUPP, 25 years old from Ottumwa, as a suspect. RUPP was also identified as a suspect in an Ottumwa Police Department burglary from automobile and fraud case as well.

In conclusion to the joint investigation, the following criminal charges were filed against RUPP.

Wapello County Sheriff’s Office: Arson in the 2nd Degree (D-felony) and Theft in the 2nd Degree (D-
felony).

Ottumwa Police Department: Burglary 3rd – Theft from Auto (Aggravated Misdemeanor), Theft 3rd (Aggravated Misdemeanor), seven counts of Unauthorized Use of Credit Cards (Aggravated Misdemeanors).

RUPP is currently incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail on an unrelated charge. All criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant(s) are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.