Trailer Thief Nearly Got Away With It

The Fairfield, Ohio, resident is charged in Dearborn County with Theft.

Richard Fernbach. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff's Department.

(West Harrison, Ind.) – An accused trailer thief eluded arrest once, but he was ultimately arrested.

A trailer was stolen from a business on the 100 block of Moore Street in West Harrison on May 16, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Dearborn County court. Surveillance video captured a black Dodge Durango pickup truck pull into the parking lot, two individuals get out, and drive off with the trailer.

Harrison Police conducted a traffic stop on a black Dodge Durango pulling a trailer earlier that same morning, prior to the trailer being reported stolen. The stop was made on nearby New Haven Road and the driver, Richard B. Fernbach, was identified as the driver. The officer wrote Fernbach a citation and allowed him to go.

Dearborn County deputies later learned of the traffic stop and contacted Fernbach by phone. He refused to meet for an interview about the stolen trailer.

Fernbach, 42, of Fairfield, Ohio, was arrested on July 10. He is charged in Dearborn County with Theft (level 6 felony).