Steuben County Sheriff's Office

10/31/2025

Thank you Weigand family for your annual visit to the Sheriff’s Office to deliver delicious Halloween treats to our staff. Your kindness and generosity are so appreciated!!!

10/30/2025

Thank you so much Paul Lang at Bailey & Wood Mortgage Lenders for the awesome box of treats we received today at the Sheriff’s Office!! Your support is greatly appreciated!

10/28/2025

It’s National First Responders Day! Please join the Sheriff’s Office in thanking all of Steuben County’s First Responders on this special day! Our community is truly blessed!!

10/13/2025

Thank you everyone at Miss Roxy’s Daycare for having the Sheriff’s Office over to visit with all the kids! Everyone had a great time meeting K-9 Ed and checking out the police cars!! The kids learned about being safe this Halloween and were even surprised with some ice cream!!!

10/02/2025

An Arrest Has Been Made in Connection with a Sheriff's Office Investigation into an Alleged Child Molesting

On 10/01/2025 at around 5:00 pm, 37-year-old Zachary Ryan Wolf was taken into custody without incident in the 400 block of Detroit St in the town of LaGrange, IN on a Steuben County arrest warrant charging Wolf with one count of level 1 felony Child Molesting. The arrest warrant followed a nearly 6-month investigation that began back in March of 2025 by Steuben County Sheriff's detectives into allegations that Wolf had sexual contact with a then 11-year-old female victim.

The incident was alleged to have occurred back in 2022 at a residence in Steuben County's rural Pleasant Township. Following the issuance of the arrest warrant on 09/05/2025, The Sheriff's Office and the US Marshals Service began a joint fugitive investigation to locate and apprehend Wolf. After nearly a month-long search for Wolf, he was located in LaGrange, IN by the US Marshals Service. Wolf was subsequently booked into the Steuben County Jail where he remains held without bond pending an initial court appearance.

Also assisting the Sheriff's Office in the fugitive investigation were the LaGrange Town Marshal's Office and the Avilla Town Marshal's Office.

**Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**

09/23/2025

Fugitive Matthew Wayne Friedel Apprehended in West Virginia

On 09/22/2025 just before 4:00 pm, wanted fugitive 36-year-old Matthew Wayne Friedel was located and apprehended without incident in Rock, WV located in a remote area of Mercer County. Friedel had been the subject of a joint fugitive investigation between the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and the US Marshals Service since early August.

He was wanted out of Steuben County for Dealing Methamphetamine, a level 2 felony along with several warrants for failing to appear in court on other cases. After several weeks of investigation, information was received indicating that Friedel had fled Steuben County and was possibly in West Virginia.

The US Marshals Service in Fort Wayne, IN then reached out to the US Marshals Service in Bluefield, WV to follow up on that information. Friedel was subsequently located and taken into custody with the assistance of the West Virginia State Police and air support from the Army National Guard.

Friedel was then taken to the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, WV by the West Virginia State Police where he remains held pending extradition back to Indiana. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank all those who assisted with tips and information.

Also assisting the Sheriff's Office in the fugitive investigation were the Angola Police, Indiana State Police, Fremont Town Marshal's Office, Fremont Fire Department, and the LaGrange County Sheriff's Office.

**Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**

09/19/2025

Congratulations Corporal Austin Batt on receiving a 2025 Traffic Safety All-Pro Award from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute at Lucas Oil Stadium. Corporal Batt was accompanied by his wife Eliza receiving his award, along with some Indianapolis Colts swag for his commitment and dedication to making Steuben County roadways safer through impaired driving investigation and enforcement.

Corporal Batt is a certified Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and a member of the Steuben County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT). Great job Austin, keep up the good work!!

09/19/2025

We need to give a huge shout out to our Jail Commander Captain Jason Hufnagle!! Captain Hufnagle is always willing to impart his knowledge and expertise on various jail topics to others in order to make everyone better. Today, Captain Hufnagle was in Kosciusko County speaking about inmate religious rights. Great job Jason!!!

09/17/2025

As of today, 09/17/2025, the old analog non-emergency telephone numbers of 260-665-3131 and 260-665-5521 have been disconnected. Please use the current telephone number of 260-668-1000 Ext. 4000 for non-emergency calls to The Sheriff's Communication Center and Ext. 5000 for the Sheriff's Administration Office. The Steuben County Jail can be reached at Ext. 5150. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for understanding.

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09/17/2025

Coldwater Woman Critically Injured in 2-Vehicle Crash Involving Motorcycle

On 09/16/2025 just after 10:00 pm, Steuben County Sheriff's deputies along with crews from Steuben County EMS and the Angola Fire Department responded to the intersection of SR 127 and CR 400 N in northern Steuben County for a 911 call of a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. When responding units arrived, they located a white passenger vehicle and a motorcycle near the intersection.

Initial crash scene investigation indicated that a white 2013 Buick Regal driven by 18-year-old Josie Venzke of Fremont, IN was stopped at the posted stop sign on CR 400 N at the intersection of SR 127 facing east. A green 2024 Yamaha YZF690 motorcycle driven by 26-year-old Alexandria Stolte of Coldwater, MI was traveling southbound on SR 127 approaching the intersection of CR 400N.

Witnesses indicated that it appeared that Venzke failed to see the oncoming motorcycle and made a left-hand turn onto SR 127 from CR 400 N into the path of the Stolte's motorcycle. The two vehicles collided at the intersection causing Stolte to be ejected from the motorcycle onto the ground. Stolte was wearing a helmet and was stabilized at the scene before being transported to Parkview Regional Medical Center in critical condition by Steuben County EMS. Venzke was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured in the crash.

Due to the severity of the crash, the Steuben County Fatal Alcohol Crash Team (FACT) was activated to assist in the investigation which had SR 127 closed for just over 90 minutes. At this time, alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash however, cell phone usage may have contributed. The weather was clear, and the roadway was dry at the time of the crash which remains under investigations by the Sheriff's Office.

Assisting the Sheriff's Office at the scene were Angola Fire, Steuben County EMS, Angola Police, and the Indiana State Police.

**Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**

09/11/2025

**Update - The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been recovered. Mr. Friedel still remains at large.**

Sheriff's Office Seeking Information In Vehicle Theft Investigation

On 09/11/2025 just before 7:00 am, a white 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from a local business on CR 150 S just outside of the south Angola City limits. The vehicle has both front and rear-end damage, and was last known to have an Indiana In God We Trust license plate of DJJ511. The vehicle is possibly being driven by 36-year-old Matthew Wayne Friedel who is wanted out of Steuben County for Dealing in Methamphetamine, a level 2 felony. Photos of Friedel and the actual stolen vehicle are attached. Anyone who may have seen this vehicle or has any information on its whereabouts is asked to contact Sheriff's Detective Todd Johnson at 260-668-1000 Ext. 5130, Steuben County Crime Stoppers at 260-668-STOP (7867), or your local law enforcement agency.

**Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**

09/11/2025

Never Forget!!