With two arson suspects in custody, the Elkhart County farm community is feeling more relaxed than it did just eight months ago.
At their annual spring meeting last Tuesday in New Paris, the Elkhart County Farm Bureau thanked Elkhart County Sheriff Jeff Siegel and his staff for their work to investigate the barn burnings and arrest those who were responsible.
"Farm Bureau put up a reward," said Lynn Loucks, Elkhart County Farm Bureau president. "Elkhart County, Marshall County, Kosciusko County and St. Joe County all kicked in $2,000, along with Indiana Farm Bureau, for a reward."
Referring to Siegel, Loucks said, "As it turns out, this good man and his staff they did it within the department, so we didn't have to give out a reward. But Elkhart County Farm Bureau decided to do is present the Sheriff's Department with a $2,000 check to use."
Siegel thanked Farm Bureau for its donation and said the money will be used to help cover the cost of paid overtime for detectives and other staff.
"It seemed like it took a little time to get these fires solved. But know that this guy right here was my wakeup call every night, every morning when there was a problem," Siegel said of Loucks. "So, I commend your Farm Bureau president for that."
Siegel also credited the lead detective on the case, Bob Smith, for using technology to identify the
suspects.
"It was a huge case, one of the bigger ones we've had in our department," Smith said. "We utilized the Nappanee Police Department, the State Police, the Prosecutor's office—every city department helped us. It was a really cool case, not cool for the barns, obviously. But I think we were able to stop a lot of property damage, and everybody that we asked to be a part of it (the investigation) was completely invested. Our team just did a really, really good job."
Those charged with the crimes are Joseph D. Hershberger and Sherry L. Thomas, both of Nappanee. In Elkhart County, they each face eight felony charges of arson, plus one count each of attempted contributing to the delinquency of a minor. In Marshall County, they each face one charge of arson, a felony.