Sheriff: Spieldenner nabbed in Fremont

VW independent/submitted information

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach stated Monday evening that a man wanted for armed burglary at a county residence has been captured.

Sheriff Riggenbach reported that Stephen F. Spieldenner, 50, of Lima, was taken into custody in Fremont at approximately 6:15 p.m. Monday by deputies from the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office.

Spieldenner had been sought since last Thursday evening on charges of aggravated burglary, a felony of the first degree, in connection with an armed burglary at a rural Washington Township residence.

Sheriff Riggenbach said Spieldenner will be transported back to Van Wert County later this week, and a court date will be set once he is incarcerated in the Van Wert County Correctional Facility.

“I want to thank the public for their assistance in locating Spieldenner,” the sheriff noted.

The search for Spieldenner came after deputies received a call at 7:18 p.m. Thursday reporting that a man armed with a firearm had attacked the resident of a Washington Township home. The resident was able to fight off the man, but not before the attacker fired the weapon.

The sheriff said the victim suffered minor injuries in the attack, but was not wounded by the gunshot. Following the attack, the suspect fled the house before deputies arrived.

The incident remains under investigation and additional charges could be filed against Spieldenner. The local sheriff’s office was assisted by the Van Wert County Prosecutor’s Office, Delphos Police Department, and Allen County Sheriff’s Office.