Staff Report

Bruce Lee Kintzel

WINONA LAKE — A Warsaw man was arrested for allegedly stealing a lawnmower from a Winona Lake residence.

Bruce Lee Kintzel, 33, 2057 S. Julian Drive, Warsaw, is charged with theft, a class A misdemeanor; and theft with a prior conviction, a level 6 felony.

On Aug. 10, a Winona Lake Police officer responded to a report of a lawnmower being stolen. A homeowner said he had his push mower and attached bagger next to a grill in his front yard. The mower was valued at $500.

According to court documents, the homeowner said he went outside to mow his lawn when he noticed the mower was gone. The officer noticed a nearby church had a security camera and spoke with a member of the church’s staff. The staff member said the church recently experienced issues with people entering the building without permission and going through offices.

Camera footage from the church showed a suspect vehicle, which officers later determined was sometimes driven by Kintzel. Upon going to the vehicle’s registered owner’s home, officers found a lawnmower matching the description of the stolen one. Officers spoke with Kintzel at the home, and Kintzel denied knowing anything about the stolen lawnmower.

Staff with Grace College later contacted officers and said they had security footage of an individual stealing the lawnmower in question. Officers watched the footage and identified Kintzel as the suspect.

Upon speaking with him again, Kintzel told officers a “friend” on social media gave him permission to pick up the lawnmower. However, Kintzel was allegedly unable to show proof of these messages.

Kintzel was previously convicted of theft in Kosciusko County in July 2018.

Kintzel has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, in Kosciusko Superior Court Two.