Theft
February 22
On February 22 at approximately 3:46 PM, GPD was dispatched to 736 Washington Ave. on a report of a burglary not in progress. I was dispatched to 736 Washington Ave. on a report of a burglary not in progress. The victim, Grady Caldwell, advised the police that he came back from work at approximately 3:40PM and upon entering his residence, he saw an extension cord in the doorway of his bedroom that seemed out of place. When entering his bedroom, he saw his Dewalt angle grinder laying on the floor and saw the side of his gun safe had a hole cut in it with the grinder. Caldwell opened the safe and obtained a firearm and cleared his house for any suspects and then called GPD. Caldwell advised that he was missing 3 handguns from the safe and 2 magazines for each gun from a nearby cabinet. All magazines were loaded and each handgun had a full magazine in it but no round chambered. The following firearms were reported stolen: – Springfield Armory XD Model 2 9 mm black in color with serial #GM817595 with a total of 3 magazines; – Springfield Armory XDS Model 2 9 mm black in color with serial #HG946851 with a total of 3 magazines; – Glock 19 9 mm black in color with serial #BTCD646 with a total of 2 or 3 magazines; Police was able to locate one partial shoe print in the mud under a west window where it appeared as if the suspect stood on a cooler to look into a window. Fingerprints could not be located at the point of entry. Caldwell showed us his security video from approximately 06:30 AM that showed a subject walking along the north side of the house from the backyard (west). He/she entered a presumably unlocked door on the north side of the house and then a basement light turned on. The suspect then went into the living room and turned off the power strip hidden behind the TV which powered off the modem, WiFi, and cameras. It appeared that the suspect then used the victim’s Dewalt angle grinder and cut a hole in the side of the safe and used the victim’s pry bar to peel it open. The suspect then obtained the victim’s pocket knife from a nearby cabinet and used it to cut the felt liner inside the safe leaving the knife inside. Once the hole was completed, the suspect reached into the safe and removed the 3 handguns from a shelf and left behind numerous other firearms and cash which he/she likely could not see. At approximately 8:55 PM, police went back to the victim’s residence after he called to tell the police that the knife in the safe had been in a cabinet nearby and was likely used and left inside the safe by the suspect. Caldwell also stated he had a box of latex gloves in the cabinet where the magazines and knife were and it looked like some gloves had been pulled out of the box. When Caldwell was asked about potential suspects, he stated his ex-girlfriend has a 17 y/o son, that used to live with him and that had been in trouble for stealing his mom’s gun and car and that he is on probation in Wayne Co. Indiana. The juvenile also has a lengthy criminal history with GPD. IPolice also learned that a Sgt. with the Darke Co. Sheriff’s Office had been at the residence at approximately 10:30 AM on February 22 to serve court paperwork to the juvenile. The juvenile and his mother have an address in Fountain City, IN. It is believed that the suspect was familiar with the victim and the victim’s residence given he/she knew what time the victim left for work. The suspect was familiar with the victim’s 2 large dogs in the house, and the suspect knew where the hidden power switch was to disable the security cameras. The suspect knew about the tools that were used to cut into the safe.
February 24
On February 24th, 2023, at approximately 8:25 AM police was dispatched to Family Health Clinic on Meeker Road. The complainant advised that his vehicle was tampered with sometime last night while parked in the 200 block of Twelfth Street. The complainant, Charles Kuether. advised that he got home around 9:00 PM on February 23rd, 2023. Charles advised that he parked his vehicle in the 200 block of Twelfth Street. When Charles parked his vehicle it had a quarter tank of gas. When Charles woke up on February 24th, around 8:00 AM, he went to his truck to leave for an appointment. Charles noticed the gas cover was opened and the gas cap was sitting on the top of the truck. Charles was in a hurry and left for Family Health. When Charles got to family health he noticed he no longer had a quarter tank of gas but now his truck was on empty. Charles also advised there was scratch marks on the paint of the truck around the gas tank entry cover. Police checked the area in the 200 block of Twelfth Street and located nothing of evidence. Police also checked the area for surveillance video but was unsuccessful.
Trash/Dumping
February 23
On February 23, 2023 at approximately 7:15 PM police responded to 119 Harrison Avenue reference a trash complaint. Police observed an old broken desk sitting behind the residence that was not in an approved container. Police originally believed that the trash belonged to 115 Harrison Avenue, and a trash noticed was posted there. On 2/24/23 police was made aware that the trash was actually at 119 Harrison Avenue. Police was able to make contact with Cody Cantrell at 119 Harrison Avenue and advised Cody of the complaint and he cleaned the trash up. An email was sent to the Safety Service Director notifying them of the result.
Warrant
February 23
On February 23, 2023 at approximately 5:19 PM police responded to 529 Washington Avenue to serve a felony arrest warrant for Shannon Vanhorn. Police had prior knowledge that Shannon has a felony warrant through the Darke County Sherriff’s Office for Vehicle Theft with no bond. The police officer knocked on the front door and made contact with Christopher Newberry, who advised that Shannon was home. He then made contact with Shannon and verified her identity through her social security number. Dispatch verified the warrant through LEADS/NCIC and Shannon was placed under arrest and transported to the Darke County Jail where she was released to jail staff.
February 25
On February 25, 2023 at approximately 5:53 AM police arrived at 1040 Wayne Avenue to serve a misdemeanor warrant. Prior to the arrival police had prior knowledge that Sierra Meade was living at the residence. Sierra has an active warrant through the Celina Police Department. Sierra answered the door and police then asked her to step outside and informed her of the active warrant. Sierra was placed into handcuffs and then searched incident to arrest and no contraband was located. Dispatch ran Sierra through LEADS/NCIC and confirmed that she has an active warrant out of the Celina Police Department on a charge of theft with a $2000 bond. The warrant was confirmed and the Celina Police Department requested that GPD exchanges Sierra at the Darke County Mercer County line. Police then transported Sierra to Pak-A-Sak gas station at 14428 US- 127 where she was exchanged with Officer May of the Celina Police Department.
Disorderly Complaint
February 25
On February 25, 2023 at 1:34 PM, police was dispatched to 109 E. Third Street in reference to a disorderly complaint. Police made contact with victim Devinn Vietor., who advised that he seen his half brother, Christopher Newberry, in the rear parking lot of the apartment complex. Christopher had caused many issues with Devinn and his neighbors in the past. Devinn advised that Christopher was not supposed to be on the premises. Devinn then told Christopher to leave because he was not supposed to be there. An argument then ensued between Devinn and Christopher. Christopher then pulled out a knife and swung it at Devinn. As he swung the knife at Devinn, he told him “I’m going to kill you.” This caused Devinn to feel threatened so he ran back inside and grabbed a baseball bat while he called the Police department. Christopher then left the scene prior to the arrival of the police. Police spoke with tenants in apartment 2, Sheila Horne and Daniel Adams. They both advised they observed the incident happen. They both advised that Christopher swung the knife at Devinn before he had left. Police checked the area for Christopher but was unable to locate him. Christopher will be charged with aggravated menacing when located.
Violating Protection Order
February 25
On February 25, 2023 at approximately 9:33 PM police responded to 601 Martin Street; McMiller’s carryout reference a possible CPO violation. Police made contact with the complainant, Travis Weherley. who stated that he was recently in court with Christopher Newberry reference a trespassing complaint. As a result of this case, Chris was found guilty and given an own recognizance bond, with a condition that he would have no contact with Travis. On todays date Travis stated that Chris showed up to Mcmiller’s, where Travis works. Travis stated that he was outside smoking, and he told Chris he could not be there since he was working. Chris continued into the store, knowing that Travis was present and made a purchase at the store. Travis stated that as Chris was leaving he began to mock Travis and told him to call the police. Travis filled out a written statement regarding this incident as well as a victims rights form. This will be sent to the courthouse for possible bond revocation. There will be no criminal charges since there is not a protection order in place.