Holmes County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly and Coshocton County Sheriff Tim Rogers report that their deputies have been successful in solving over 100 Breaking and Entering and Thefts that have occurred over the past 2 to 3 years in Holmes and Coshocton Counties.
The thefts have involved everything from stripping and stealing copper piping and electrical wiring from vacant houses and cabins as well as new houses under construction, to old farm machinery and scrap metal, from camping equipment to power and hand tools, chainsaws, weed eaters and firearms.
As of Monday, at least 60 theft locations have been identified in Holmes County and another 50 in Coshocton County. The suspects have also been identified in several thefts in Ashland and Knox Counties and possibly more in Wayne County.
At the present time, we have had more theft locations identified than reports we have on file. This could mean that the suspects have been involved in so many thefts over the past 3 or so years that they may be confusing one location with another or the property owner hasn’t reported the theft to us.
Investigators have determined that most of the copper and other stolen items that could be sold for scrap value were taken to recycle yards in Coshocton, Wayne and Stark Counties.
Anyone that has been a victim of these types of thefts and has not filed a report is asked to contact their local Sheriff’s Office with any information regarding the theft. Anyone having any information about the thefts is also asked to call their Sheriff’s Office.
Anyone that has already filed a report is asked not to call their Sheriff’s Office at this time. As investigators are able to sort out the information on the thefts, they will call the individual victims to update them on the progress in the investigation.
Holmes County Sheriff's Office can be reached at 330-674-1936 and Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at 740-622-2411.
More information can be found here.
