Sheriff says burglary suspect identified

VW independent/submitted information

A man currently in an Indiana jail is a possible suspect in at least some of the daylight burglaries in Van Wert County, according to Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach.

The sheriff announced today that a man arrested Wednesday on unrelated charges in Indiana and currently incarcerated in the Allen County, Indiana, jail, is a “person of interest” in a series of area daytime burglaries.

The sheriff would not release the name of the suspect because he has not yet been charged here, but added that he expects charges to be filed in the future, with the man’s identity released then.

Sheriff Riggenbach said his office has sent evidence to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) for processing, and said he believes those results will aid in his office’s investigation of the burglaries.

The sheriff also thanked county residents for their help in the investigation.

“The information provided by numerous citizens during this investigation was instrumental in this person of interest being identified,” Sheriff Riggenbach said.

The sheriff also reiterated that he hopes local residents will continue to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity immediately to his office by calling 419.238.3866 or by dialing 9-1-1 in an emergency.