STEUBEN CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office says that after a five-month-long investigation, an arrest was made in a vandalism case that resulted in thousands of dollars in damages. An 18-year-old is now charged and a juvenile is also detained in connection to the incidents that happened on Lake Gage Lane from November of last year through just last month.
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office released the following:
An arrest has been made in connection with the investigation into multiple incidents of vandalism that occurred in the Lake Farm Estates area of Lake Gage in northwest Steuben County. On 04/03/2024 at just after 4:40 pm, 18 year old Gavin R. Willis of rural Fremont was taken into custody by Sheriff’s detectives on an arrest warrant charging Willis with one count of class B misdemeanor criminal mischief and one count of class A misdemeanor criminal mischief with a loss of $750 – $49,999.
Gavin R. Willis
The arrest comes after a nearly 5 month investigation dating back to November of 2023 with the first reported vandalism to a residence on Lake Gage Ln 220. From November of 2023 to March of 2024, there were at least 5 incidents of vandalism causing several thousands of dollars worth of property damage. During the investigation, the Sheriff’s Office received multiple anonymous tips as well as video surveillance and other lead information from area residents which assisted in the identification of a suspect.
Sheriff’s detectives also reached out to the Prairie Heights School Police for assistance with identifying possible suspects. During the investigation, a second male juvenile offender was also identified and referred to the Steuben County Juvenile Probation Department. Willis was booked into the Steuben County Jail and remains held without bond pending an initial court appearance. Also assisting the Sheriff’s Office were the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Division.
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