1^st Sgt. Chad D. Hill
Public Information Officer

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Two men have been arrested by Kosciusko County officers in connection with an extensive crime spree that spans five Indiana counties and two Michigan counties.

Officers from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and the North Webster Police Department are currently working with several other law enforcement agencies after the arrest of two local men.  Frank Bailey III, 41, North Webster, and Michael Nicholas Watson, 27, Leesburg, were arrested yesterday and preliminarily charged with felony theft, burglary, and auto theft.  Bailey was additionally charged with operating a vehicle while never licensed along with a second charge of felony auto theft.  Bailey is currently being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on a $15,710 bond, whereas Watson is being held on a prosecutorial hold with no bond.

The pair had been part of a large-scale theft ring that has grown to involve potentially four additional suspects that had committed crimes in Noble, Steuben, Starke and Pulaski counties, along with two counties in Michigan.  Kosciusko County detectives stated that officers have recovered two side-by-side UTV’s, eight ATV’s, six trailers, snowmobiles, go-carts, golf carts, motocross motorcycles,and mini-bikes.  Some of the items are believed to have yet been reported stolen by the actual victims.  Detectives stated that additional arrest may be forthcoming and from other county agencies as the investigation continues.

The Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office advises that the defendant’s charge is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.