Friday, December 18th, 2009
Couple suspected of stealing wrapped gifts from beneath Christmas trees
Local thefts keep law enforcement busy
By Shelley Grieshop
A man and a woman were arrested this week as suspects in a rash of burglaries in the Versailles area including the theft of gifts from under Christmas trees.
In custody on parole violations are John A. Nelson, 23, of Lima, and Vivian "Paige" Jasso, 27, of Versailles. The pair were arrested Wednesday at a home on Wood Street in Versailles during a follow-up investigation into numerous home burglaries and vehicle break-ins during the past two weeks.
A majority of the items reported stolen by local residents were discovered by officers during a search of the Wood Street home, a press release states.
Nelson and Jasso are being held without bond in the Darke County Jail. Further charges are pending following a review by the Darke County Prosecutor's Office.
The crime spree reportedly was committed in the village of Versailles and the surrounding area. In some cases, the burglar entered homes in the middle of the night while residents were sleeping and stole wrapped Christmas presents from beneath trees, the release states.
Items stolen include home electronics, cash and various types of Christmas gifts.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Darke County Sheriff's Office, the Versailles Police Department and the Ohio Adult Parole Authority.
Anyone who may have experienced a theft or burglary in the Versailles area in the last few weeks is asked to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency where they reside. Also, anyone with information about these cases is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 937-548-2020.
