Brothers appear in court on felonies

Van Wert independent/VWPD information

Two Van Wert men face felony charges related to a string of burglaries and thefts from vehicles that occurred overnight Friday, February 17.

Ian D. Taylor, 18, and his brother, Justin Taylor, 26, both appeared in Van Wert Municipal Court on Thursday on one count each of receiving stolen property. The charges are fifth-degree felonies.

Judge Jill Leatherman set a $100,000 bond on each man, requiring that 10 percent of that amount be paid in cash and scheduled a preliminary hearing for the afternoon of Friday, March 2. However, since the Van Wert County Grand Jury meets that morning, it’s likely both Taylors will be indicted before the Municipal Court hearing, making it unnecessary.

Van Wert County Prosecutor Charles F. Kennedy III noted in his request for a high cash bond that the brothers could be involved in a number of separate incidents that occurred that night. Van Wert police are continuing to investigate several other incidents of criminal damaging, burglary and breaking and entering that occurred on February 17, with additional charges possibly forthcoming.

“There is the potential for 12 additional charges against these individuals,” Kennedy told Judge Leatherman, adding that several of the incidents were home burglaries … “a serious felony.”

The arrests stem from a tip police received from the Van Wert County Youth Bureau that a resident of 317 S. Market St. was attempting to sell items reported stolen from recent thefts from motor vehicles on February 17.

Based on the Youth Bureau information, assistance from the County Common Pleas Court Probation Department, and subsequent investigation, city police executed a search warrant at the South Market Street residence this past Wednesday and located several items that matched those reported stolen.

Anyone having additional information relating to the burglaries and thefts from vehicles should contact the Van Wert Police Department at 419.238.2462.