AUBURN, Ala. - On Nov. 3, 2022, Auburn Police, arrested Brian Henry Ritter, age 33, from Auburn, on warrants charging him with theft of property first degree, three counts of possession of a forged instrument third degree, two counts of theft of property third degree, two counts of possession of a forged instrument fourth degree and criminal mischief third degree.

The arrest stems from Auburn Police responding to a call reporting that a stolen vehicle was located near the 2000 block of South College Street. Responding officers observed the vehicle and a suspect, later identified as Brian Henry Ritter, who was with the vehicle upon officer arrival.

Officers confirmed the vehicle was associated with a fraudulent purchase that occurred in the 100 block of West Creek Parkway on Oct. 26, 2022. A complainant associated with a business reported that a suspect purchased a vehicle using a forged check and forged identification.

Ritter was identified as the suspect that made the fraudulent purchase. After further investigation he was charged with theft of property first degree and two counts of possession of a forged instrument fourth degree due to the recovery of forged items from his possession.

Ritter was also arrested in obedience to outstanding warrants associated with three cases reporting crimes previously committed in Auburn. The outstanding warrants were for three counts of possession of a forged instrument third degree from an incident that occurred in the 400 block of North Dean Road, between Oct. 27, 2021, and Nov. 15, 2021. An additional outstanding warrant for theft of property third degree was associated with a theft that occurred in the 500 block of East Thach Avenue, between Dec. 8, 2021, and Jan. 1, 2022. The third case, which occurred in the 2500 block of East Glenn Avenue between Jan. 31, 2022, and Feb. 11, 2022, resulted in warrants for theft of property third degree and criminal mischief third degree.

Ritter was transported to the Lee County Jail and held on a $15,000 bond. This case remains under investigation with the possibility of additional charges.

All defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.