BURKET - While investigating a domestic disturbance at Diamond Lake Thursday, a Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department officer learned of a stolen four-wheeler at the residence.

A title check verified that information and further information gathered at the Diamond Lake location led to a drug investigation at the residence of Brian Slone, 224 W. Tucker St., Burket.

A search warrant was obtained by the Kosciusko County Drug Task Force and served at the Slone residence by the task force, detective and patrol divisions. Winona Lake Police Department Officer Danny Hall also provided assistance as items belonging to him were recovered at the Burket residence.

The search netted an estimated $60,000 in construction tools and equipment as well as another stolen four-wheeler and a small motorcycle. To transport the stolen items to the sheriff's office, five truck loads and a full 16-foot trailer had to be used.

Items discovered so far have been verified as stolen from several separate cases in Kosciusko County and from Ohio.

Slone, 26, is being charged with burglary, theft, as well as possession of precursors and items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Shannon Francis, 25, was charged with theft.

Both Slone and Francis were booked in the Kosciusko County Jail. KCSD asks that everyone record serial numbers of their personal items and inscribe your name and address on valuable property. The KCSD will eventually ask victims of the thefts to come in and retrieve the recovered items.

The investigation is ongoing. [[In-content Ad]]