Full Notification

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey announced today the arrest of three individuals in connection with numerous daytime burglaries in Mercer and other counties. Arrested were:



Jose A. Lopez, age 27, of Oakdale Dr., Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He was charged with 1 Count of Burglary (felony 2), 2 counts of Theft (F5), and one count of Theft (F3). The charges stem from one burglary in Mercer County.

Isaac J. Gase, Age 28, Pine Crossing, Decatur, Indiana. He was charged with 2 counts of Burglary (F2), 3 counts of Theft (F5) and 1 count of Theft (F3). These charges stem from 2 residential burglaries in Mercer County, with multiple additional charges in Van Wert County pending.



Chrystal R. Stauffer, age 32, Van Buren Street, Monroe, Indiana. She is charged with 2 counts of Burglary (F2), 3 counts of Theft (F5) and 1 count of Theft (F3). These charges also stem from 2 residential burglaries in Mercer County with multiple additional charges in Van Wert County pending.



Mr. Lopez is presently incarcerated in Adams County, Indiana, awaiting extradition to Mercer County. Mr. Gase is presently incarcerated in Wells County, Indiana pending charges there, and Ms. Stauffer is incarcerated in the Mercer County Detention Center.

Sheriff Grey stated “These arrests show the dedication and commitment by are law enforcement agencies to solving crimes, this is not the end. There are more people out there committing this type of crime, and our office continues to investigate them”. Sheriff Grey urged citizens to remain diligent in locking doors and calling the Sheriff’s Office when something suspicious is noticed.



These arrests were a culmination of efforts of area law enforcement, including Mercer and Van Wert Sheriff’s Offices, Adams and Wells County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office’s and the Decatur Police Department.