Two Arrested On Theft & Drug Charges In Franklin County

Four vehicles and a trailer were stolen from Brackney, Inc. on March 29.

Photos by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. 

(Franklin County, Ind.) - Two men are facing serious felony theft and drug charges in Franklin County.

Prosecuting Attorney Chris Huerkamp announced Friday that Nathine L. Dyer, 25, of Big Cedar Road, and Brian E. Lemmel, 25, of Hamilton, Ohio, are facing preliminary charges in relation to a theft investigation that began on March 29.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Franklin County Sheriff’s deputies were called to investigate the theft of four vehicles and a utility trailer from Brackney, Inc. Following the initial report, the Sheriff’s Department was able to locate all four vehicles, which had been abandoned in various locations throughout the county.

On March 30, a Brackney employee reported seeing the missing trailer and observed two individuals unhook it from a vehicle and leave it at a location on Sleepy Hollow Road. A short time later, deputies located the vehicle at Dyer's residence, where he and Lemmel were taken into custody for theft of the trailer. 

After being granted several search warrants, deputies located a box containing over 28 grams of methamphetamine in a vehicle believed to be Dyer’s.

Dyer is charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), Possession of Heroin (Level 6 Felony), Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony), and Theft (Level 6 Felony).

Lemmel is facing four counts of Auto Theft, and two counts of Theft, all Level 6 Felonies.

Regarding the efficiency of the investigation, Huerkamp commented: “This was an incredible and focused effort by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department--both in recovering stolen property for a local business and to get a large amount of dangerous drugs off the street—all within a very short time.” Huerkamp further emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, that additional charges are possible, and that all suspects and/or criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.