(JACKSON TOWNSHIP) – Three people have been arrested on burglary and drug related charges.
Steuben County Chief Deputy Sheriff Michael Meeks says just after 12:30 AM Thursday, deputies responded to a residence in the 5700 block of West 200 North in rural Jackson Township on a citizen's report of suspicious vehicles on the property. The residence was unoccupied due to the owner residing at a local nursing care facility. The caller was caring for the property and observed the suspicious activity via remote trail cameras.
When deputies arrived, they found two unoccupied vehicles parked in between two barns on the property. As more officers arrived, the property and residence were able to be searched and two men and one woman were ultimately located inside. They were identified as 35 year old James Francis Arens of Auburn, 36 year old Hugh Spencer Ladd of North Webster, and 39 year old Tiffany Rae Klopfenstein of Fort Wayne.
Upon further investigation, it was determined that none of the suspects had any connection to the property or any permission to enter the residence or take any items. During the course of the investigation, suspected drugs and drug paraphernalia were also located in Arens and Klopfenstein's possession. All three were taken into custody and booked into the Steuben County Jail.
Arens is charged with felony counts of burglary to a residence and possession of meth along with misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Ladd is charged with a felony count of burglary to a residence.
Klopfenstein is facing felony charges of burglary to a residence and possession of meth along with a misdemeanor count of possession of paraphernalia.
Both Arens and Klopfenstein had their bond set at $5,000. Ladd was able to post bond and has been released.
Assisting at the scene were the Angola Police and the Indiana State Police. The matter remains under investigation.
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