Two Charged For Stealing Trailers, Excavator In Marshall County
Staff Report
Eric David Barnard
PLYMOUTH — Two people are facing criminal charges for their alleged involvement in stealing trailers and an excavator in Marshall County.
Eric David Barnard, 46, South Bend, is charged with theft where the value of the property is over $50,000 and conspiracy to commit theft where the value of the property is over $50,000, both level 5 felonies; and three counts of theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000 and four counts of conspiracy to commit theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000, all level 6 felonies.
Earl Leroy Avery IV, 45, Knox, is charged with theft where the value of the property is over $50,000 and conspiracy to commit theft where the value of the property is over $50,000, both level 5 felonies; and four counts of theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000 and five counts of conspiracy to commit theft where the value of the property is between $750 and $50,000, all level 6 felonies.
On Oct. 12, 2023, a Marshall County Sheriff’s Office detective investigated a report of a dump trailer belonging to Bran Roofing being stolen from an area in Plymouth on Oct. 5, 2023.
According to court documents, the trailer’s contents were found near St. Joseph County. Two enclosed trailers were also reported stolen on Sept. 25 and Oct. 1, 2023.
On Oct. 12, 2023, the detective drove by a residence owned by David Rice, Walkerton, and noticed two vehicles which were allegedly involved in the thefts.
On Oct. 16, 2023, Avery said he, Rice, and Barnard stole an enclosed trailer from a business in Plymouth. Avery also said he, Rice, Barnard, and Amber Sneed, Walkerton, stole an excavator near Culver. Avery described the thefts in detail.
In an interview with law enforcement, Avery said Rice and Barnard stole an enclosed trailer, brought it to his home, and painted it. Avery also took law enforcement to where the stolen dump trailer and excavator were.
Barnard was previously convicted of theft in Elkhart County in 2019.
Barnard was booked in the Marshall County Jail on Dec. 20, 2023.
A warrant was issued for Avery’s arrest on Dec. 8, 2023. Sneed has a status hearing on March 7. Rice has a status hearing on March 21.
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