Additional arrest in investigation of Indianola airport theft

Photo: A 1976 Piper Cub Airplane was reported stolen from the Indianola Airport, and recently has been linked to a MALTB investigation. The plane is still missing. (Courtesy photo)

Jan. 24, 2025-This week, an arrest was made and a vehicle recovered that has been linked to an ongoing Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau (MALTB) investigation.

On Dec. 20, 2024, the Sunflower County Sheriff’s Department took a report of a stolen 1976 Piper Cub airplane that had been reported stolen from the Indianola Airport. MALTB investigators were asked to assist. MALTB previously worked a case at the Indianola Airport where a stolen tractor and side-by-side were recovered.

Based on information provided during the investigation, a Corvette was stopped by the Madison Police Department (MPD) for a traffic violation on I-55 in Madison. The police officer collected information that determined the Corvette was reported stolen out of Alabama.

The driver of the stolen Corvette, 43-year-old Barrett Duet Cochran of Indianola, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a stolen firearm with controlled substance.

After interviewing Cochran, it was determined she is the girlfriend of suspect Christopher Douglas Showah, who was arrested by MALTB and charged with the theft of the stolen tractor and side-by-side from the Indianola airport.

After further questioning, it was determined that the Corvette was tied to the stolen 1976 Piper Cub airplane.