BUCYRUS — Four individuals were arrested Wednesday for stealing a golf cart from the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival just one day before the festival was set to start.
A report from the Bucyrus Police Department said, “The Bratwurst Festival Committee reported a golf cart stolen from the 300 block of S. Sandusky (Ave.). It was later found on Schaber (Ave.) painted a different color.”
The suspects were seen on surveillance cameras in downtown Bucyrus attempting to hide their faces while with the golf cart. The golf cart was stolen by the ignition being damaged to the point where a key was not needed to start the vehicle. The cart then was painted with white house primer.
As a result, 19-year-old Jordan Gibson, 19-year-old Elizabeth Blankenship, a 16-year-old male and a 13-year-old female were arrested for the theft.
Bucyrus Police Chief David Koepke said the 2019 EZGO utility car golf cart was valued at approximately $6,000 and will most likely result in the adults involved being charged with felony theft charges. He said the juveniles’ future will be decided by the court and how the prosecutor and judge choose to handle the situation. Other charges such as tampering with evidence also may come as a result of the crime.
Tools also were reported stolen from the golf cart.
Koepke said the golf cart was found after a member of a neighborhood watch reported seeing individuals on a golf cart and thought it may be the one the department was searching for.
BPD officers then spent the afternoon separately locating and arresting the four individuals.
The golf cart, which Bratwurst Festival Assistant Director Kevin Myers said was rented, is back with the festival committee and able to be used for the duration of the festival.
“We’re happy it’s back and no one was harmed,” Myers said. “Thanks to a tip from an alert citizen and the video footage helped.”
Myers said he discourages anyone else from attempting a similar act.
“We are ready to pursue charges to the fullest extent of the law if someone takes something that doesn’t belong to them,” he said.
Koepke echoed the sentiment, and said he hopes it’s the only speed bump for the 2019 Bratwurst Festival.
“We are hoping for a fun festival from here on out and are looking forward to being with the community,” Koepke said.
Koepke said the two juveniles were released from police custody and Gibson and Blankenship remain in custody at the Crawford County Justice Center.