A Union County grand jury has returned a 70-count indictment against four suspects accused of operating a multi-jurisdictional theft ring.
Charged were:
|
BINTNER |
NAGY |
HOLLYFIELD |
• Jeremiah L. Bintner, 34, of Marysville: theft, receiving stolen property, breaking and entering, grand theft, theft from an elderly person, vandalism and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity;
• Laura E. Honaker, 30, of Marysville: theft, receiving stolen property, breaking and entering, theft from an elderly person, vandalism, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity;
• Stephen L. Nagy, 32, of Columbus: theft, receiving stolen property, breaking and entering, vandalism and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity; and
• BK Baxter Hollyfield, 39 of Newark: theft, receiving stolen property, breaking and entering, grand theft, vandalism, and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.
Hollyfield and Nagy were arrested early Wednesday in Franklin County and turned over to Union County Sheriff’s Deputies. Both were transported to the Tri-County Regional Jail.
The charges come after a multi-agency investigation that began Jan 13.
“This investigation took several months and hundreds of investigative man hours to complete. The collaboration that took place between all these jurisdictions and their respective investigators is an excellent example of law enforcement working to hold those responsible for these alleged theft crimes accountable for their actions,” said Union County Sheriff Jamie Patton.
The investigation kicked off when people associated with a Jerome Township business reported that a trailer had been stolen from the property in the 8000 block of Corporate Boulevard.
Three additional trailers were reported stolen from other businesses in the area. The total loss was approximately $22,000.
Union County investigators learned of similar thefts involving trailers and tools in Marysville, Columbus, Hilliard, Worthington, Powell and Delaware County with the total loss being approximately $87,000.
With the assistance of the Columbus Police Department, Union County detectives were able to recover approximately $28,000 worth of stolen property.
The recovered property was found at locations in Columbus and Franklin, Fairfield, Pickaway, Knox and Union counties.
The indictments come as a result of the combined investigative efforts of the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Hilliard Police Department and the Marysville Police Department and with the support of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.