Man charged in Klosterman’s robbery

Van Wert independent/police reports

A Van Wert man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday night at a local business.

Kyle W. Caldwell, 33, of 911½ E. Main St., made an initial appearance in Van Wert Municipal Court this morning on a charge of armed robbery, a felony of the second degree. He was ordered held on a $100,000 cash bond by Judge Jill Leatherman, who set a preliminary hearing in the case for 3:15 p.m. Friday, November 2.

According to Van Wert police, officers responded to a robbery report at Klosterman’s Pizza, 1017 E. Main St., at 9:39 p.m. Wednesday

An employee at the business stated that a white male with a bandana over the lower part of his face entered the business minutes earlier brandishing a handgun. The man then pointed the gun at an employee of the pizzeria and demanded money from the cash register. When the cash register was opened, the robber reached into it, grabbed money and ran from the building.

During their investigation, police located evidence related to the robbery and were able to identify Caldwell as a suspect in the case. An arrest warrant was prepared and Caldwell was taken into custody without incident.

The robbery remains under investigation and additional charges may be forthcoming. Police were assisted in the case by the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department, the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Van Wert County Adult Probation Department.