9 charged in break-in spree targeting guns, hunting gear

PORT CLINTON — Authorities charged nine Port Clinton residents for their alleged connection to a series of break-ins in Erie, Ottawa and Sandusky counties and the sale of the stolen firearms at gun shows."The break-ins happened mainly in Ottawa County," prosecutor James VanEerten said. "It was a band of people who were going place-to-place breaking into boats, hunting lodges, homes and garages. Approximately 40 burglaries took place over a nine-month period."The following people were allegedly directly involved in the string of thefts and have been charged with dozens of felonies. They are listed with their charges.• Jonathan Torres, 32, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, complicity to burglary, complicity to firearms theft, five counts of complicity to theft from the elderly, eight counts of complicity to theft and 14 counts of complicity to breaking and entering• Dakota Siefke, 22, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, three counts of complicity to burglary, three counts of weapons possession under a disability, 12 counts of complicity to firearm theft, five counts of theft from the elderly, 12 counts of complicity to theft and 16 counts of complicity to breaking and entering• Zachary Neff, 22, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of complicity to burglary, 13 counts of complicity to firearm theft, one count of complicity of theft from the elderly, six counts of complicity to theft and 8 counts of complicity to breaking and entering• Rosco Neff, 39, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, two counts of complicity to burglary, two counts of weapons possession under a disability, six counts of complicity to firearm theft, six counts of theft from the elderly, 10 counts of complicity to theft, 18 counts of complicity to breaking and entering• Cody Brengartner, 25, conspiracy to engage in a pattern of corrupt activity, three counts of complicity to burglary, six counts of weapons possession under a disability, 16 counts of complicity to firearm theft, seven counts of complicity to theft from the elderly, 14 counts of complicity to theft, one count of complicity to motor vehicle theft and 23 counts of complicity to breaking and entering• Ronald Royster, 59, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, evidence tampering and 14 counts of receiving stolen propertyThe break-ins and thefts allegedly occurred during the time period of Jan. 9 to Sept. 15. The group allegedly stole the items to sell for a profit."They seemed to be targeting firearms and hunting equipment, which they would then sell," VanEerten said. "We were able to recover two of the stolen firearms, but we believe far more were stolen and sold."The two firearms were allegedly found in Royster's possession, but it doesn't appear as if he participated in the break-ins. The prosecution, instead, believes he set up the sales of the stolen guns."We believe they would give the firearms to Royster who would sell them to private buyers at gun shows, where background checks aren't required," VanEerten said. "We can't prove he sold all the firearms."The case involved several agencies including Danbury police and Catawba Island police, but the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office headed up the investigation."The sheriff's office took all the separate investigations and put it all together," VanEerten said.The investigation also led to charges being filed against Taylor Gobmeier, 19, for complicity to motor vehicle theft and Jacob Geiss, 40, and Darryl Trent, 56, for receiving stolen property."Gobmeier only had the one charge. She was the girlfriend of one of the other defendants," VanEerten said. "Gobmeier, Geiss and Trent are tangentially involved in the burglaries."Brengartner is currently an inmate in the Correctional Reception Center after he was convicted of possessing weapons under a disability, drug possession and burglary in Knox County in November, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.A warrant has been issued for his initial appearance in the Ottawa County Common Pleas Court scheduled for Dec. 20. All the others have been arraigned and pleaded not guilty to their respective charges.*Editor's Note: This article has been updated to include Brengartner's status as an inmate of a state prison in Orient, Ohio.More Ottawa County Sheriff's Office articlesReach reporter Michael Harrington at michaelharrington@sanduskyregister.com, follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegisterTop (Left to right): Jonathan Torres and Dakota Siefke Bottom (Left to right): Zachary Neff, Rosco Neff and Ronald RoysterJonathan TorresDakota SiefkeZachary NeffRosco NeffRonald Royster