Sheriff reports rash of burglaries across Jasper County

The Jasper County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating vandals who are responsible for a rash of burglaries throughout the county. Jasper County Crime Stoppers is furthering in the effort by offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crimes.

Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said the burglaries have focused on construction sites with the theft of property in excess of $50,000.

“Tools are and have been for a long time popular items for people to steal and when you look at construction site burglaries there can be a lot there,” Halferty said.

Halferty said the burglaries started about four to six weeks ago and have not been limited to a certain area of the county or construction business.

“It can be a situation where they come in and take items at a construction site or out of a building,” Halferty said. “Some cases are where they have an enclosed trailer and they take the whole trailer.”

Some arrests have been made in recent weeks, including Matt Bakalar. Bakalar, 34, was arrested on Dec. 26 following the burglary on a rural farm residence northwest of Newton. The owners identified multiple items missing including a skid loader and ATV. Halferty said the property, in that case, has been located.

Upon arrest, deputies recovered addition stolen property which had previously been reported to authorities. Bakalar was charged with first-degree theft, felon in control of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance and is being held at the Jasper County Jail.

While arrests have taken place, the burglaries continue to occur in the county. To help the cause, Crime Stoppers is assisting the sheriff’s office by offering a monetary reward.

“We’re happy to help the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office with this theft investigation,” said Abigail Pelzer, Jasper County Crime Stoppers chair. “We’ve seen the significance of offering cash rewards to locate suspects and that falls in line with our mission of assisting law enforcement to make our communities safer.”

If you have any information about the recent thefts contact Jasper County Crime Stoppers at 641-792-8362 or text JASPER to 274637. All tips are anonymous.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com