Police Solve 2 Area Thefts
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Two area teens are in custody following two investigations into area burglaries.
County investigators recently released information charging two men in separate cases.
Christopher J. Peter, 19, no address available, was in St. Joseph County Jail on other charges when he was questioned about writing stolen checks. That interview has led to preliminary charges in Kosciusko County of Class C Felony burglary and Class D Felony theft.
Peter was charged in connection with a Feb. 15 burglary at Gragg Equipment, at the southeast corner of CR 350S and Ind. 15.
Peter reportedly told investigators he broke a pane of glass from the north side of the building to gain entry, then took a pickup with a trailer, said Kosciusko County Sheriff Department Det. Sgt. Sam Whitaker.
After leaving the trailer at a nearby farm, Peter allegedly returned later to the business taking a chain saw, copier, cordless phone, typewriter, check writer, check book containing business checks and loose change, according to police reports.
Peter allegedly wrote four stolen checks, totaling almost $700, that were cashed at Martin Supermarkets in the Elkhart and South Bend area. A Martin security officer forwarded a security photo later identified as Peter, Whittaker said.
That photo led to the eventual identification of Peter as a suspect, authorities said.
In a separate investigation a Ligonier teen was recently booked into Kosciusko County Jail for his part in the burglary of a Syracuse residence.
Eric R. Smallwood, 19, 715 Jay Street, Ligonier, has been preliminarily charged and booked into Kosciusko County Jail. He faces a class B felony burglary charge and a class D felony theft charge.
Smallwood is charged for his alleged part in the early February burglary of the Syracuse home of Beverly and Dean Ryan, North Kohr Road, Syracuse.
Smallwood reportedly took a .22 caliber rifle, antique plates, a small wooden jewelry chest, fox and coyote furs, canadian coins and wheat pennies, according to police reports.
A break in the investigation came when Ryan saw some of his property at an auction in Fort Wayne. The seller told Ryan he purchased the goods from Smallwood.
When confronted, Smallwood reportedly told investigators he went to the Ryan residence with a juvenile. He sold the stolen goods for $200, police said.
Charges have not yet been filed against the juvenile, Whitaker said. [[In-content Ad]]
Two area teens are in custody following two investigations into area burglaries.
County investigators recently released information charging two men in separate cases.
Christopher J. Peter, 19, no address available, was in St. Joseph County Jail on other charges when he was questioned about writing stolen checks. That interview has led to preliminary charges in Kosciusko County of Class C Felony burglary and Class D Felony theft.
Peter was charged in connection with a Feb. 15 burglary at Gragg Equipment, at the southeast corner of CR 350S and Ind. 15.
Peter reportedly told investigators he broke a pane of glass from the north side of the building to gain entry, then took a pickup with a trailer, said Kosciusko County Sheriff Department Det. Sgt. Sam Whitaker.
After leaving the trailer at a nearby farm, Peter allegedly returned later to the business taking a chain saw, copier, cordless phone, typewriter, check writer, check book containing business checks and loose change, according to police reports.
Peter allegedly wrote four stolen checks, totaling almost $700, that were cashed at Martin Supermarkets in the Elkhart and South Bend area. A Martin security officer forwarded a security photo later identified as Peter, Whittaker said.
That photo led to the eventual identification of Peter as a suspect, authorities said.
In a separate investigation a Ligonier teen was recently booked into Kosciusko County Jail for his part in the burglary of a Syracuse residence.
Eric R. Smallwood, 19, 715 Jay Street, Ligonier, has been preliminarily charged and booked into Kosciusko County Jail. He faces a class B felony burglary charge and a class D felony theft charge.
Smallwood is charged for his alleged part in the early February burglary of the Syracuse home of Beverly and Dean Ryan, North Kohr Road, Syracuse.
Smallwood reportedly took a .22 caliber rifle, antique plates, a small wooden jewelry chest, fox and coyote furs, canadian coins and wheat pennies, according to police reports.
A break in the investigation came when Ryan saw some of his property at an auction in Fort Wayne. The seller told Ryan he purchased the goods from Smallwood.
When confronted, Smallwood reportedly told investigators he went to the Ryan residence with a juvenile. He sold the stolen goods for $200, police said.
Charges have not yet been filed against the juvenile, Whitaker said. [[In-content Ad]]