OHIO — Four individuals have been arrested in connection with a string of stop sign thefts that occurred across Darke County in recent weeks.
According to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, deputies made the arrests on Wednesday following an investigation into multiple overnight thefts of traffic signs, including stop signs.
The thefts had raised safety concerns among local officials and residents.
Two 18-year-old suspects, Dylan Hemmelgarn of New Weston and Jeremiah Wagner of Versailles, were taken into custody.
Hemmelgarn was arrested in the 6800 block of Darke-Mercer County Line Road, while Wagner was arrested on North Steffin Street in Versailles.
In addition, two juvenile males were also arrested and transported to the West Central Juvenile Detention Center in Miami County. All four face charges related to felony theft.
Hemmelgarn and Wagner are currently being held in the Darke County Jail without bond and are awaiting arraignment.
The Darke County Engineer’s Office and Sheriff Mark Whittaker noted that community tips and resident cooperation were crucial in identifying the suspects and solving the case.
