GAYLORD — Law enforcement officials are hoping to return stolen property following a series of vehicle break-ins in Bagley Township and surrounding areas last summer.
In July, troopers began receiving reports of larceny from vehicles, with similar complaints also coming from the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department and the Gaylord Police Department. On July 21, additional reports were filed, and investigators obtained home surveillance video showing a suspect, according to the Michigan State Police.
A victim contacted troopers, who said the phone was active and provided a specific location. Troopers responded and located 43-year-old Johnathan Wenner of Otsego County on a bicycle. He matched the description obtained from the surveillance footage and troopers observed several items in his possession that had been reported stolen.
A search warrant was executed at a residence in Bagley Township, where troopers recovered a stolen handgun and numerous other stolen items. The following day, a second search warrant was executed at a storage unit in Gaylord, leading to the recovery of another stolen handgun and additional stolen property. Wenner was arrested and charged with two counts of breaking and entering a vehicle to steal property.
Troopers have recovered a large amount of stolen property and hope to return it to owners. Anyone who had items stolen from their vehicle in Otsego County in July is asked to call 989-732-2778. A description and or identification of the items is required before the property will be released.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: State police plan to return items taken during vehicle thefts in Otsego County
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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