Suspected Purse Thief Nabbed By Local Cops
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Women leaving their purses in their cars while paying for gasoline have been victims of thefts during the past week or so, but police believe they have the man responsible in custody.
Rex Allan Renbarger, 46, of 1611 E. Market St., Warsaw, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Tuesday on one count of theft. He is being held on $2,000 bond.
Detective Lt. Steve Adang of the Warsaw Police Department said his agency will seek multiple charges against Renbarger in connection with more than a dozen such thefts that have occurred in the past seven to 10 days.
Renbarger was caught Tuesday afternoon after a Warsaw woman identified him as being involved in the theft of her purse while at the Phillips 66 station on North Detroit Street. Gloria Jean Hutcherson gave police a detailed description of Renbarger and the blue pickup he was driving. The vehicle was last seen northbound on North Detroit Street shortly before 4 p.m.
Police located the suspect vehicle parked at Warsaw Bowl, where Renbarger was reportedly seated in the cab of the pickup going through the items from Hutcherson's purse. Hutcherson was brought to the scene and positively identified both Renbarger and his pickup, police said. Other victims reportedly told police they saw a blue pickup in the area on the days their purses were taken.
Adang said eight other purses were recovered from a dumpster behind the bowling alley, but six missing purses have yet to be found. Renbarger is reportedly denying involvement in any of the thefts, but police said items from other stolen purses were allegedly found in Renbarger's pickup.
Four other thefts were reported Tuesday in Warsaw, including:
• An 8:35 a.m. theft of a purse from a vehicle belonging to Geretta Lynne Greene of Leesburg while at Discount Tobacco Outlet on Argonne Road. Loss: $100.
• An 11:57 a.m. theft of a purse, briefcase and cellular telephone from a car owned by Janelle D. Leitch of Larwill while at Phillips 66, East Center Street. Loss: $220.
• A 1:02 p.m. theft of a purse belonging to Alisha Sobhan Rushing of Warsaw while her vehicle was parked at Kimm's Food Mart, Plaza Drive. Loss: $18.
• A 2:11 p.m. theft from Michelle R. Harter, North Manchester, of a purse in her vehicle parked at Phillips 66, East Center Street. Loss: $35.
Police said women should not leave their purses in their vehicles even for a short period of time due to the risk of victimization. Also, residents are warned to lock their vehicle doors regardless of how long they will be away from the vehicle. [[In-content Ad]]
Women leaving their purses in their cars while paying for gasoline have been victims of thefts during the past week or so, but police believe they have the man responsible in custody.
Rex Allan Renbarger, 46, of 1611 E. Market St., Warsaw, was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail Tuesday on one count of theft. He is being held on $2,000 bond.
Detective Lt. Steve Adang of the Warsaw Police Department said his agency will seek multiple charges against Renbarger in connection with more than a dozen such thefts that have occurred in the past seven to 10 days.
Renbarger was caught Tuesday afternoon after a Warsaw woman identified him as being involved in the theft of her purse while at the Phillips 66 station on North Detroit Street. Gloria Jean Hutcherson gave police a detailed description of Renbarger and the blue pickup he was driving. The vehicle was last seen northbound on North Detroit Street shortly before 4 p.m.
Police located the suspect vehicle parked at Warsaw Bowl, where Renbarger was reportedly seated in the cab of the pickup going through the items from Hutcherson's purse. Hutcherson was brought to the scene and positively identified both Renbarger and his pickup, police said. Other victims reportedly told police they saw a blue pickup in the area on the days their purses were taken.
Adang said eight other purses were recovered from a dumpster behind the bowling alley, but six missing purses have yet to be found. Renbarger is reportedly denying involvement in any of the thefts, but police said items from other stolen purses were allegedly found in Renbarger's pickup.
Four other thefts were reported Tuesday in Warsaw, including:
• An 8:35 a.m. theft of a purse from a vehicle belonging to Geretta Lynne Greene of Leesburg while at Discount Tobacco Outlet on Argonne Road. Loss: $100.
• An 11:57 a.m. theft of a purse, briefcase and cellular telephone from a car owned by Janelle D. Leitch of Larwill while at Phillips 66, East Center Street. Loss: $220.
• A 1:02 p.m. theft of a purse belonging to Alisha Sobhan Rushing of Warsaw while her vehicle was parked at Kimm's Food Mart, Plaza Drive. Loss: $18.
• A 2:11 p.m. theft from Michelle R. Harter, North Manchester, of a purse in her vehicle parked at Phillips 66, East Center Street. Loss: $35.
Police said women should not leave their purses in their vehicles even for a short period of time due to the risk of victimization. Also, residents are warned to lock their vehicle doors regardless of how long they will be away from the vehicle. [[In-content Ad]]