Mickey Dean Tubbs II

WINONA LAKE — A Leesburg man was recently arrested after allegedly helping burglarize a residence in Kosciusko County.

Mickey Dean Tubbs II, 26, 8071 E. CR 500N, Leesburg, is charged with burglary, a level 4 felony; possession of methamphetamine and theft, both level 6 felonies; possession of paraphernalia, a class C misdemeanor; and driving while suspended and sentence enhancement possession of paraphernalia, both class A misdemeanors.

On Dec. 2, 2019, a Winona Lake police officer was observing traffic when he recognized a vehicle from a prior incident that occurred in November 2019. In that incident, Tubbs was driving a vehicle; however, Tubbs only held an Indiana identification card and was suspended prior with an indefinite re-eligibility date.

Due to this prior knowledge, the Winona Lake police officer pulled Tubbs’ vehicle over. A passenger in Tubbs’ vehicle also had suspended driving privileges.

In the absence of a licensed driver, Tubbs’ vehicle was towed. According to court documents, during the inventory of the vehicle, a smoking device containing burnt marijuana residue and a metal tin box containing methamphetamine residue were found. Seven counterfeit $100 bills, as well as a laptop computer, Xbox One X gaming console, Xbox controllers, wireless modem and a pair of headphones were all found in the vehicle. The items, with a combined value of $969, were reported stolen from a burglary that occurred on Dec. 2, 2019.

Tubbs was interviewed by police and said he had driven his passenger to Syracuse to purchase electronic items. However, in a later interview, Tubbs admitted to waiting outside by a front door of a residence while his passenger entered the residence and left with two bags.

A witness was interviewed by a Syracuse police officer. The witness provided a description consistent with Tubbs’ appearance as being the passenger in a vehicle observed at the burglary scene. The witness said he saw Tubbs enter and exit the residence with bags containing stolen items.

Tubbs has a prior judgment against him for driving while suspended. He was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on April 25, with a $15,250 surety and cash bond.