Wooster couple arrested in Amish home invasions
A Wooster couple are facing burglary charges in multiple counties after allegedly breaking into Amish homes while the residents were at church.
Reuben Troyer, 21, and Natasha Urconis, 21, both of 1751 E. Smithville-Western Road, were arrested Sunday, Sept. 11 while in the process of breaking into a Mount Eaton home, Holmes County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly said. They are currently incarcerated in the Wayne County Jail.
The couple are suspects in at least 18 burglaries that targeted Amish homes. According to Zimmerly, Troyer and Urconis would approach Amish homes on Sundays. They would knock on the door and, if no one answered, proceed to enter the home. If someone was home, they would claim to be lost, ask for directions, and leave.
Holmes County Sheriff’s deputies had been tracking Troyer and Urconis Sunday morning after receiving a tip of a suspicious vehicle. The person reporting the vehicle was able to give deputies a license plate number.
Deputies followed Troyer and Urconis to a Paint Township residence, where Urconis got out and knocked on the door. She asked for directions to Winesburg after a man answered the door.
The couple proceeded into Wayne County and approached a Mount Eaton residence. No one was home, and Troyer and Urconis drove away. They returned to the residence a short time later and parked behind a barn. Deputies continued surveillance and arrested the couple after it was evident Troyer was attempting to break in, Zimmerly said.
Urconis’s 18-month-old daughter was in the car when she and Troyer were arrested. The child has been placed with Urconis’ father.
Forced entry was used in most of the burglaries, Zimmerly said. A number of tools that could be used to force doors and break locks were found in Troyer and Urconis’s car.
Zimmerly said the break-ins have been occurring for several months. A suspect was identified and, after his arrest in Summit County a month ago, the burglaries seemed to stop. However, Zimmerly said the Knox County Sheriff approached him with reports of four burglaries that matched those in Holmes and Wayne counties.
The target of the burglaries was cash, Zimmerly said. A total dollar amount of how much was stolen is being compiled.
Troyer grew up Amish, Zimmerly said. Troyer and Urconis seemed to target the homes on Sunday in different Amish church districts. The Amish hold church every other Sunday, and the schedule differs from district to district.
So far, Troyer and Urconis have been linked to seven burglaries in Holmes County, seven in Wayne County and four in Knox County.
Zimmerly said he expects separate charges will be filed in the burglaries in each of the three counties.
Anyone with additional information may call the Holmes County’s Sheriff’s office at 330-674-1936.
Reuben Troyer, 21, and Natasha Urconis, 21, both of 1751 E. Smithville-Western Road, were arrested Sunday, Sept. 11 while in the process of breaking into a Mount Eaton home, Holmes County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly said. They are currently incarcerated in the Wayne County Jail.
The couple are suspects in at least 18 burglaries that targeted Amish homes. According to Zimmerly, Troyer and Urconis would approach Amish homes on Sundays. They would knock on the door and, if no one answered, proceed to enter the home. If someone was home, they would claim to be lost, ask for directions, and leave.
Holmes County Sheriff’s deputies had been tracking Troyer and Urconis Sunday morning after receiving a tip of a suspicious vehicle. The person reporting the vehicle was able to give deputies a license plate number.
Deputies followed Troyer and Urconis to a Paint Township residence, where Urconis got out and knocked on the door. She asked for directions to Winesburg after a man answered the door.
The couple proceeded into Wayne County and approached a Mount Eaton residence. No one was home, and Troyer and Urconis drove away. They returned to the residence a short time later and parked behind a barn. Deputies continued surveillance and arrested the couple after it was evident Troyer was attempting to break in, Zimmerly said.
Urconis’s 18-month-old daughter was in the car when she and Troyer were arrested. The child has been placed with Urconis’ father.
Forced entry was used in most of the burglaries, Zimmerly said. A number of tools that could be used to force doors and break locks were found in Troyer and Urconis’s car.
Zimmerly said the break-ins have been occurring for several months. A suspect was identified and, after his arrest in Summit County a month ago, the burglaries seemed to stop. However, Zimmerly said the Knox County Sheriff approached him with reports of four burglaries that matched those in Holmes and Wayne counties.
The target of the burglaries was cash, Zimmerly said. A total dollar amount of how much was stolen is being compiled.
Troyer grew up Amish, Zimmerly said. Troyer and Urconis seemed to target the homes on Sunday in different Amish church districts. The Amish hold church every other Sunday, and the schedule differs from district to district.
So far, Troyer and Urconis have been linked to seven burglaries in Holmes County, seven in Wayne County and four in Knox County.
Zimmerly said he expects separate charges will be filed in the burglaries in each of the three counties.
Anyone with additional information may call the Holmes County’s Sheriff’s office at 330-674-1936.
Published: September 12, 2011
