Investigations reveal crime links, 2 arrested

Hamilton Police officers arrested two Gallatin residents last Thursday for alleged receipt of stolen property. The arrests were made following a routine traffic stop, and law officers for Daviess County and Gallatin have evidence that could possibly lead to other charges in Hamilton, Polo and Gallatin as well as Daviess and Caldwell counties.

Daniel A. Baker, 25, and Rachelle R. Baker, 23, are now incarcerated at Midwest Security Housing in Pattonsburg. Both face one count of felony burglary and two counts of misdemeanor Class A stealing. Bond was set at $40,000 each.

According to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, investigations at 1326 W. Grand Street in Gallatin were initiated after the Gallatin Police Department obtained a written and signed consent to search the premises in connection with vandalism recently occurring in Gallatin. During the search, a Halloween mask and clothing were discovered which matched that worn by a burglar at Winston Pit Stop as videotaped by a surveillance camera.

A search warrant was then obtained by the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department to allow for more investigation. Several stolen items were seized as well as other evidence relating to several cases under investigation.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, Gallatin Police Department, Hamilton Police Department and Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department have worked collaboratively to identify and investigate suspects.

Gallatin Police Chief Jim Wycoff advises residents to be vigilant regardless of these arrests and despite relative calm the past two weeks following vandalism. The local police chief offers the following perspective.

“Gallatin recently experienced a wave of crime involving auto theft, a non-residence burglary and an attempted non-residence burglary. There was also a series of vandalism where BBs and pellets were shot through vehicle windows involving 35 different victims over a 2-day time frame. Rumors circulated about Chillicothe and Hamilton being similarly victimized, but this was not the case. Chillicothe did not experience any vandalism; the Hamilton incident involved the breakage of glass at a grocery store.

“Gallatin hasn’t suffered any other incidents during the past two weeks. But there have been burglaries reported outside the city involving similar methods used at convenience stores at Altamont and Winston, just to name two.

“It is thought that the same criminal or criminals are responsible for all of these crimes mentioned. We now have suspects in several of these crimes, including the non-residence burglaries in Gallatin and Winston. Even though we have good cases going on our suspects, it is important that you remain vigilant and take precautions to protect your property. Keys were left in the ignition switch in the vehicle that was stolen.

“If you see anything suspicious, I encourage you to call 9-1-1 immediately so that response can be prompt. We’re not out anything by checking, even If it turns out to be nothing out of the ordinary. On the other hand, if what you observe is a crime or someone preparing to commit a crime, your call could be critical for crime prevention or criminal apprehension.

“We do all we can to fight crime,” Chief Wycoff says, “but we know the job gets done most efficiently with the participation of the good citizens of this community. Please don’t hesitate to report anything suspicious. We will be very grateful for your help.”