Evansville Man Arrested at Grandparents' Home for Burglarizing West Side Smoke Shop Twice

EVANSVILLE, IN — A local man is in custody after being arrested at his grandparents' residence, accused of burglarizing the same West Side smoke shop on two separate occasions in August 2025. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Trinstan Michael Wilson, was arrested after an investigation linking him to the crime scenes through video evidence and a customer loyalty account.

Two Burglaries in Three Weeks

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of commercial burglaries at the West Side Smoke Shop on Pearl Drive. The first break-in occurred on August 4, 2025, and the second on August 21, 2025. In both instances, the suspect broke the storefront's glass door to gain access and stole numerous vapes and vape cartridges.

Customer Loyalty Account and Footwear Provide Clues

Detectives reviewing security camera footage from the smoke shop noticed that the burglar had a distinct limp or leg issue. Furthermore, store employees recognized the individual's build and clothing, suggesting he was a regular customer. Investigators checked the store's loyalty program database, finding a matching profile for Wilson. Additionally, nearby commercial security cameras and Flock license plate readers captured a vehicle linked to Wilson's grandmother.

Arrest at Grandparents' House

On August 22, 2025, deputies executed a search warrant at the residence where Wilson lived with his grandparents. During the search, detectives recovered the clothing and shoes worn during both burglaries, along with a collection of stolen vape products. They also found a hammer belonging to Wilson's grandfather, which matched a hammer left behind by the burglar at the second break-in.

Wilson was arrested and faces two counts of Burglary (Level 5 Felony), two counts of Theft (Class A Misdemeanor), and two counts of Criminal Mischief (Class A Misdemeanor).