Criminal charges were filed earlier today against a couple accused of stealing tomatoes and hanging flower baskets from a flower and produce stand in Bloomfield.

Flower and produce stand in Bloomfield that sometimes operates on the honor system. Photo from Facebook.

David J. Bauerle II, 48, and Jessica A. Bauerle, 39, both from Crane Village, are both facing a preliminary charge of theft, a Class A misdemeanor.

Criminal cases against them were filed in Greene Superior Court earlier today, Thursday, June 24, as a result of an investigation by Deputy Marshal Wayman JR Blazier of the Bloomfield Police Department.

Officer Blazier started his investigation on June 3 after the owners of a flower and produce stand in Bloomfield reported a series of thefts from their business.

Sue’s Flower and Produce Stand is located at 450 West Main Street in Bloomfield. At times when the owners are not available, the stand is still open, operating on an honor system with a box for customers to drop payments for their selections. They are able to monitor activity at the stand with a number of surveillance cameras.

According to the owners, the suspects had stolen items from the stand at least three times this spring but they were picked up on video surveillance which also recorded photos of their vehicle and the license plate number. Video also revealed identifying characteristics of the Bauerles including a large “Winnie the Pooh” tattoo on the arm of Jessica Bauerle.

The owners alleged that over the course of a few visits to the stand, the Bauerles had taken three sets of tomatoes valued at $5 and four hanging flower baskets valued at $95 for a total of $100, without making appropriate payment in the honor box. The owners provided the officer with video and photographs of the incidents taken by the surveillance system.

When Officer Blazier went to the Bauerle’s residence in Crane Village, a vehicle matching the vehicle shown in the surveillance video was parked in the driveway with a matching license plate. When he walked onto the porch, he noticed four hanging flower baskets that matched the description of the flowers missing from the stand.

Officer Blazier knocked on the door and could hear movement inside the residence but nobody answered the door even after he announced himself.

On his way out, Officer Blazier took photos of the hanging baskets and on closer inspection, he noticed tags with sticker dots that matched the tags and stickers the flower stand owners use to mark prices and keep track of their inventory.

Both Bauerles will likely receive a summons to appear in court for initial hearings – dates not yet set.

Court records indicate David Bauerle has other criminal cases pending against him including a case in Monroe County involving misdemeanor theft, a case in Daviess County involving felony burglary and misdemeanor theft and criminal trespassing, and another case in Daviess County involving felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Court records indicate Jessica Bauerle has other criminal cases pending against her including a case in Monroe County involving misdemeanor theft, a case in Daviess County involving felony theft, a case in Daviess County involving felony burglary and theft and misdemeanor criminal trespassing, and another case in Daviess County involving felony possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.