Nathan Paul Oglesbee

WARSAW — Two separate cases, one involving the theft of a product from a factory and the other a drug deal has lead to the arrest of Nathan Paul Oglesbee, 28, formerly of 918 E. Center St., Warsaw, and 1002 E. Sheridan St., Warsaw.

Oglesbee was arrested Saturday morning on two counts of theft, theft with a prior and dealing in a look a like substance. His bond was set at $10,000 surety and $1,700 cash.

During the last week of September police observed a Ford Explorer loaded with an unreasonable amount of scrap break rotors parked at Bowers Jewelry, Warsaw. This caused suspicion and the owner of the vehicle contacted and told police her boyfriend, Justin Perkins, had worked at Warsaw Foundry 1 1/2 years ago. Knowing the company uses scrap brake rotors in their manufacturing, the officer started a further investigation.

Police checked with Lewis Salvage who reported Perkins had sold an excessive mount of scrap brake rotors Sept. 14, 16-18, 22-25, and 28-30, for a total of $2,813.80. On Oct. 1, police were notified Perkins was at the salvage company with an excessive amount of rotors to sell. Police saw the same vehicle, as in late September, at the business.

Perkins, who was the driver, stated he obtained the items from his grandfather, but did not know how his grandfather had obtained them. A consent to search the vehicle was given. Police found a large amount of used brake rotors, some having been broken with numbers on the rotor. The numbers matched the number to a rotor currently at Warsaw Foundry.

Cary Lewis, owner of Lewis Salvage, stated he had spoken to Warsaw Foundry and an official there had confirmed through casting numbers, the brake rotors had been stolen from the factory. Lewis also checked the rotors and found silica sand, additionally confirming the rotors came from the foundry. The rotors had been broken by the company supplying the metal to the factory so the rotors would fit into the furnace.

On Oct. 7 police spoke with Perkins who then admitted his half-brother, Nathan Oglesbee, would take Perkins’ girlfriend’s vehicle to the foundry, steal brake rotors and drums. Perkins would then take the stolen parts to the salvage yard to sell them. The two would use the money to support their heroin habit. Police were told Oglesbee sold stolen brake rotors/drums from the foundry on one occasion. That occasion was on Sept. 21, receiving $268.80 for the items.

Drug Case

Oglesbee’s charge of dealing in a substance represented to be a controlled substance, a level 6 felony, stems from a May 2015 instance.

Police, through an informant, arranged to purchase seven morphine pills from Oglesbee at a location in Warsaw. Oglesbee met with the individual to discuss the purchase, only being able to provide three pills. The three pills sold were tested and found to be clonidine hydrochloride, a legend drug and not morphine.