Robbery suspect captured by deputies

VW independent/submitted information

Local authorities have recaptured one of two men involved in the Ramblers Roost robbery that occurred December 15, 2013.

James Robert Reynolds, 35, whose last known address was in Continental, apparently cut off his electronically monitored house arrest ankle monitor sometime late last week and left his residence. The Van Wert County Adult Probation Department issued an order to arrest and hold Reynolds, who was scheduled for sentencing on December 29 in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court, but requested that he be allowed to withdraw his guilty plea to robbery charges.

A hearing was scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday, January 9, on Reynolds’ request but he apparently decided not to stick around for an answer.

According to Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach, Reynolds was recaptured by deputies and is incarcerated in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility. He will likely appear early this coming week on additional charges relating to his escape from custody.

Reynolds and Trent Webster, 49, were both arrested Monday, December 16, 2013, as suspects in the Ramblers Roost robbery by deputies from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Reynolds was also a suspect in a similar robbery that took place at Ross’s Gas Station in Grover Hill in Paulding County.

According to employees at the Ramblers Roost, a man later identified as Webster entered the truck stop restaurant and demanded money. Although he never showed a weapon, Webster told employees that another person was waiting outside and noted, “there would be problems” if he didn’t receive money.

Employees then gave Webster cash and he exited the restaurant, with both he and Reynolds reportedly driving away in a blue and tan Ford Explorer.

Webster was later sentenced April 18, 2014, to concurrent prison terms of 18 months and 24 months on charges of grand theft and robbery, while Reynolds’ wife, Mindy Reynolds, 34, also of Continental, was charged with complicity to robbery in connection with the incident.

That case has also apparently not been resolved at this time.