Rensselaer Man Charged with Theft in Starke County

Jason Richie

A Rensselaer man was arrested Saturday after he was seen stealing a chainsaw from a garage in the North Judson area.

The suspect, who was later identified as Jason Richie, reportedly walked in a garage owned by Richard Anderson and walked out with a chainsaw, according to the Starke County Sheriff’s Department report. Anderson’s son-in-law, Samuel Denno, reportedly ran outside with a gun to stop Richie. Denno told police that the man allegedly threw the chainsaw in some weeds when he saw that Denno followed him into a wooded area. Denno later told police that he didn’t know the man but could identify the man if police apprehended him.

Richie was later apprehended after a tip was called to police of his whereabouts. He reportedly told police that he wasn’t going to take the chainsaw. He was going to ask to use it and then saw Denno running at him with a gun so he fled the scene.

Richie has preliminary charges of Burglary and Theft.  Bond has been set at $40,000.