Bluffton PD assist Putnam sheriff in apprehending burglary suspects
Bluffton police had 571 calls for service in May. There were 42 reportable incidents and 6 traffic crashes handled. Here's the May docket, plus one event from April, provided by Tyler Hochstetler, department sergeant.
On the morning of April 21, officers with the Bluffton Police Department assisted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office who were searching for two burglary suspects south of the Village of Pandora near the intersection of Pandora Road and Bixel Road.
After a brief search of the area, Bluffton officers along with an officer from the Pandora Police Department and a Putnam County Sheriff’s deputy, located the two suspects in a wooded area in the 8400 block of Bixel Road.
The suspects were taken into custody without further incident and transported to the Putnam County Jail.
May 2
- Officers responded to an injury traffic crash in the 300 block of South Main Street where a vehicle struck a parked vehicle and continued to the 600 block of South Main Street where it struck another parked vehicle. Lou A. Warren, 51, Bluffton, was issued a citation for operating a vehicle without reasonable control. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
May 3
- A Cedar Lake, Illinois, resident reported he lost his wallet while visiting the university.
May 5
- A Garau Street male was accused of inappropriately touching a female. A summons was issued and the case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
May 6
- Officers arrested Levi Plaugher, 19, Harrod, for operating a vehicle while impaired following a traffic stop in the 500 block of East Jefferson Street. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
May 8
- A South Main Street business owner reported that someone stole a flower planter from the front of the business.
- A Findlay resident reported that while a patient at Bluffton Hospital, someone stole money from her wallet.
May 9
- Officers were called to a State Route 103 residence in reference to a rape complaint. After investigating the complaint, officers arrested a male subject who resided at that residence and the subject was subsequently charged with rape. The case is pending in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.
May 9
- A State Route 103 business reported a threatening telephone call was made to the store from an unknown caller.
May 10
- A Garau Street male was accused of inappropriately touching a female. A summons was issued and the case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
- Officers responded to a non-injury traffic crash in the area of Commerce Lane and State Route 103. Richard J. Boehr, 85, Bluffton, was issued a citation for Failing to Yield the Right of Way. The case is pending in Findlay Municipal Court.
May 13
- Officers responded to the area of North Main Street and Washington Street in reference to a possible breaking and entering complaint. Upon further investigation, officers located numerous juveniles who admitted to being inside the building without permission and stealing items from inside. In all, six juveniles were charged with Breaking and Entering, Theft and Receiving Stolen Property. All six cases are pending in Allen County Juvenile Court.
- A West Elm Street resident reported a license plate was stolen off her motorhome while it was parked at an East College Avenue storage facility.
May 14
- A Grove Road resident reported that her ex-husband violated their child custody agreement.
May 15
- Officers arrested Reginald Phillips, 24, Columbus Grove, for driving under suspension following a traffic stop in the area of Jefferson Street and Huber Street. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
- A North Lawn Avenue resident reported he found a stolen cell phone in his foster child’s bedroom.
May 16
- A Snider Road business reported they received numerous harassing telephone calls.
May 17
- A North Lawn Avenue resident reported their foster child was being unruly and ran away from home.
- Officers responded to a non-injury traffic crash in the area of Harmon Road and Bentley Road. Kara C. Graydon, 29, Findlay, was issued a citation for Failing to Yield the Right of Way. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
- Officers responded to a non-injury traffic crash in the 100 block of Cherry Street. Kent D. Cherry, 65, Pandora, was issued a citation for Failing to Maintain Reasonable Control. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
May 19
- Officers responded to a South Main Street business in reference to a shoplifting complaint.
- A West Elm Street resident reported that while he was on a kayaking trip, he lost his cell phone in the river and needed a police report for the cellular provider.
- A Grove Road resident reported that her ex-husband violated their child custody agreement.
- A North Main Street business reported to police that a female attempted to pay for items with a check that did not belong to her.
May 20
- A Cairo resident reported that while at work at a Bluffton business on Snider Road, she received harassing messages from a person she was familiar with.
- A North Spring Street resident reported that her son’s bicycle was stolen from in front of the elementary school.
May 21
- Officers took a theft complaint from a Richland Drive resident.
May 24
- A South Main Street resident reported to police that she received harassing text messages from a male subject she had met online.
- An unknown subject stole items from behind the village maintenance building on North Spring Street. Officers have video evidence of the crime being committed and are looking into the details of the case.
May 25
- Officers responded to a Cherry Street residence in reference to a drug overdose. Before officers arrived, a family member administered Naloxone (Narcan) to the subject experiencing the overdose.
May 26
- Officers arrested Jeffery Berger, 49, Lima, for driving under suspension following a traffic stop for a speeding violation in the 500 block of North Main Street. Upon further investigation it was determined Berger also had an outstanding warrant from the Marion County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office.
- An East College Avenue resident reported an ongoing issue with her neighbor.
- A Lima resident reported to police that his girlfriend, who resides in Bluffton, was being harassed by her neighbor and the protection order she had against her was being violated.
- Officers responded to a Jefferson Street residence in reference to a male subject who was intoxicated and causing problems. Officers subsequently arrested the male subject for Disorderly Conduct by Intoxication and he was transported to the Allen County Justice Center. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
- A South Main Street resident reported that, while away on vacation, and unknown person forcibly entered the back door of their residence and stole items from inside.
- Officers arrested Cortney Hemenway, 34, Lima, for driving under suspension following a traffic stop in the 100 block of North Main Street for an equipment violation. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Hemenway had an outstanding warrant from the Allen County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office. Officers also issued a misdemeanor citation to Hemenway for possession of a controlled substance as a result of the traffic stop. The cases are pending in Lima Municipal Court.
May 27
- Officers responded to the Bluffton Hospital Emergency Room entrance for a male subject who was suicidal and had recent used drugs. Assisting Bluffton Officers on the scene were deputies from the Allen and Hancock County Sheriff’s Offices. The subject was subsequently taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center and held on an Emergency Medical Commitment until he could be evaluated and treated.
May 30
- A Thurman Street resident reported numerous items were stolen from inside his storage locker at a State Route 103 storage facility.
- Officers responded to a non-injury traffic crash in the 100 block of Bentley Road. Sue E. Amstutz, 70, Bluffton, was issued a citation for Failing to Maintain Reasonable Control. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
May 31
- Officers arrested Ryan M. Matter, 21, Bluffton, for driving under suspension following a traffic stop in the area of County Line Road and Jefferson Street. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
- A Riley Street resident reported their juvenile daughter left the previous night and had not returned home. The juvenile returned home after she heard officers were searching for her.
- Officers arrested Joseph Torres-Flores, 18, Hilliard, Ohio, for driving under suspension following a traffic stop on North Dixie Highway. The case is pending in Lima Municipal Court.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Friday, September 11, 2026
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- Pirate girls soccer silenced by Bath
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- Invitation to Sept 15 Bluffton Lions program with Dr. William H. Kose
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Thursday, September 10, 2026
- Women in Business program with Positive Nutrition
- It's time for Fall Storytime at the Bluffton Public Library
- Pirate girls golf win vs. Lima Central Catholic
- Pirate boys golf splits NWC tri
- Bluffton PTO is collecting Community Markets receipts
- Richland Twp. trustees hire mower and Zoning Inspector
- Schumacher Homestead plans a farm full of Fall Fest activities
- Hindsight is 20/20: Recent reports for RSV, flu, and COVID-19
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Darrell Lee Diller, 92, managed a farming business
- Bluffton alumni will discuss pathways to chaplaincy
- Beaverdam cleanup day is Sept. 12
- Pirate boys golf 3rd at NWC quad
- Pirate volleyball outlasts Arlington
- Pirate girls soccer blanks Crestview
- Pirate boys soccer tie vs. Kalida
- Letter: The future of American agriculture
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Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Bluffton Historical meets Sept. 9 at the 1899 Depot
- Jerry L. Blosser worked for DTR Industries
- Bluffton Schools cancelled on September 8, cleanup for biodigester malfunction underway
- July 2026 Bluffton Police Dept. activity report
- Hillville Rd. closure on Sept. 8-9
- Lions and friends will count pathway users in September
- Bluffton Ohio Historical Society takes part in Ohio Open Doors, Sept. 12