Wayne Lewis

WARSAW — A Bristol man was sentenced on theft charges in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 6.

Wayne Thomas Lewis, 24, 1403 Pike Drive, Bristol, was charged with two counts of theft, both level 6 felonies, related to thefts that occurred near Milford in October 2016.

According to court documents, an individual notified police on Oct. 19 that sometime on Oct. 17 a 22-foot Atlas construction trailer was stolen from his residence. The trailer contained construction tools, including a ladder, Kobalt table saw, level, Bosch hammer drill, roof shovel, hand tools, nail guns and building materials, totaling $20,000.

Several days later, on Oct. 21, another individual reported that between Oct. 20-21 someone had entered his barn and removed a trailer and blue 2015 Dixon zero-turn mower and  had stolen a Polaris Ranger from outside the barn. These items were valued at $10,000.

The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department was assisted by officers from the Bremen Police Department and the Indiana State Police during the investigation.

Lewis and five other individuals were arrested in association with the thefts.

“It’s not particularly an isolated incident. You did this over a period of time,” Judge Michael Reed stated at today’s sentencing, “At the same time, if I accept the plea agreement, it’ll give you a chance to keep your job and do what you’re supposed to do.”

For each charge, Judge Reed sentenced Lewis to one year in the custody of the Kosciusko County sheriff, with the sentences to be suspended and served through Michiana Community Corrections, providing Lewis is accepted and remains qualified. The sentences are to be served consecutively.

Lewis was given jail time credit of 106 days and ordered to pay court costs. Lewis was further ordered to complete the Theft Accountability Program.