Police in three counties seek local man for thefts, forgery

Authorities across the tri-county area are searching for a local man who is reported armed and is a "person of interest" in numbers of burglaries, thefts and check cashing schemes.

John Justin Autenribe is wanted by police in Knox and Whitley Counties, and Kentucky State Police, for various offenses.
According to Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Bowling, Autenribe most recently stole a utility trailer from a resident of the Tackett Creek community. Bowling said Autenribe borrowed the trailer from someone who knew him, but never returned it. It is valued at about $500.

"There is a warrant for his arrest pending on that theft," Bowling said. "I can say that he is a person of interest in several open cases right now. His name seems to pop up a lot."

Autenribe is wanted in Knox County for failure to appear in court on forgery charges. Kentucky State Police also want to arrest Autenribe for similar charges.

Bowling said Sheriff’s Deputies want to question Autenribe regarding numerous burglaries and vehicle break-ins. He is also wanted for questioning in connection with a string of vehicle break-ins in the Gordon Hill area of Corbin.

Earlier this year, Autenribe was arrested while he was working for a tree trimming service in Whitley County. Bowling said he would befriend unsuspecting clients and ask them if he could go in their house to get a drink or use the bathroom. Once inside, he would steal valuables, Bowling said. He was also arrested earlier this year for stealing a check from a home on Collins Lane and cashing it at Wal-Mart.

According to Kentucky State Police, Autenribe is known to be armed with a 9 mm pistol.

Autenribe is described as being about 5-6 with blond hair and greenish-blue eyes. He weighs about 150 lbs and has a lazy eye. He has a very mild mannered, polite demeanor. He is known to stay at residences in Knox, Laurel and Whitley Counties.
"He just kind of hides out with whoever will let him stay," Bowling said.

Information on Autenribe’s whereabouts should be directed to Kentucky State Police Post 11 in London (606) 878-6622 or the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department (606) 549-6006.