2 of 3 power co. metal thieves arrested

BUCHANAN, Mich. (WOOD) - Two people are in jail and a third person is being sought in connection with the theft of some large metal items from a power company.
    
Deputy Kelly Laesch of the Berrien County Sheriff's Department's Crime Prevention Unit saw what appeared to be a larceny in progress at some property owned by American Electric Power Company on River Road in Buchanan.

When Deputy Laesch went to investigate around 1 p.m. Nov. 8, he saw the apparent suspects leaving the scene in a vehicle.

Deputy Laesch called for backup and a traffic stop was conducted on the suspects' vehicle along the St. Joseph Valley Parkway in Bertrand Township.

During the traffic stop, the officers located and recovered more than $1,000 worth of metal stolen from the power company, according to a news release.

The officers arrested the occupants in the vehicle -- Raymond Kogut, 36, from Mishawaka, Ind. and Cheri Burkhard, 35, from Buchanan -- on charges of larceny over $1,000 under $20,000.

An arrest warrant is being sought against a 33-year-old man from Indiana for his involvement in this theft.