Staff Report

Bonnie C. Hoff

CROMWELL — A woman was arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle and gun from a residence in Cromwell.

Bonnie C. Hoff, 50, Howe, is charged with theft of a firearm, a level 5 felony; and theft of a vehicle, a level 6 felony.

On Sept. 6, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer responded to a theft that occurred in Cromwell. A man said his black 2005 Ford F150 was stolen from his driveway. He told the officer the vehicle had a Bushmaster rifle and rifle magazines inside it. The vehicle was valued at $10,000, and the firearm was valued at $900.

On Sept. 9, Winona Lake Police Department’s deputy chief received information that the stolen Ford F150 was traveling west on US 30 from SR 13. According to court documents, the deputy chief saw the vehicle and pulled its driver over. The driver was identified as Hoff, who refused to speak to the deputy chief and requested an attorney.

Upon searching the Ford F150, the deputy chief found the Bushmaster rifle.

Hoff was previously convicted of theft in August in Noble County. At the time of the September incident, she was on pretrial release for methamphetamine and paraphernalia possession.

Hoff has already been arrested and released on her own recognizance. She has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Oct. 13, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.