VW man allegedly steals WWI-era gun

VW independent/news media sources

SOUTH MILFORD, Indiana — A Van Wert man returned a World War I-era machine gun he allegedly stole during a smash-and-grab burglary of a display case in South Milford, Indiana, that had “been the pride of the town”, according to a report by WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Jason T. Saam reportedly admitted to taking the 1895 Colt Automatic machine gun after he was arrested the evening of November 1 in Decatur, Indiana, when police there discovered him allegedly trying to steal a Pegasus and an eagle sculpture mounted in front of the Adams County Courthouse.

Because of similarities between the two crimes, law enforcement officers began questioning Saam about the South Milford burglary and he reportedly admitted he had the machine gun at his Van Wert residence.

LaGrange County Sheriff Jeff Campos later returned the machine gun and some cannonballs also stolen from the display case to South Milford, just in time for the Veterans Day holiday.

Charges are pending for the machine gun theft, while Saam faces charges of theft, operating a vehicle while intoxicated, criminal mischief, resisting law enforcement, and possession of marijuana, in connection with the Decatur incident.