A Rural Worthington man, arrested and charged with auto theft in Owen County, is also facing preliminary charges of theft and criminal mischief in Greene County.

Eli S. Swartzentruber, 34, Worthington, was arrested by deputies from the Owen County Sheriff’s Department as a result of incidents that occurred on February 26. Personnel from both Owen County and Greene County law enforcement had responded.

Sgt. Bobby Pierce of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the lead investigator in the Greene County case, responded after a neighbor called 911 and said Swartzentruber was at his residence north of Worthington and was threatening him.

The man said Swartzentruber told him he had taken the key to the neighbor’s 4-wheeler and the license plate off his truck. He also said Swartzentruber had shot an arrow into the side of his business which was located near his residence. In addition, he told dispatchers he believed Swartzentruber was off his medication and he was afraid Swartzentruber was going to hurt someone or damage property.

When Sgt. Pierce arrived at the residence, Swartzentruber was not immediately located, but the deputy talked to the neighbor who told him about his encounter with Swartzentruber.

GCSD Deputy Alan Jackson, Det. Shawn Cullison and Deputy Marshal Russell Walls of the Worthington Police Department also responded.

Sgt. Pierce said that a diligent search was conducted to investigate the incident but also to check on Swartzentruber’s mental status and given the location, the Owen County Sheriff’s Department was advised of the situation and they also assisted with the search.

Then at 1:25 a.m., the Owen County Sheriff’s Department got a call from another man who lived in the same area and said Swartzentruber had taken a vehicle from his residence.

Shortly after that call, personnel from the Owen County Sheriff’s Department located Swartzentruber in the vehicle.

Swartzentruber was taken into custody by Owen County Sheriff’s deputies on a preliminary charge of auto theft.

Sgt. Pierce, along with Det. Cullison, then traveled to the Owen County Sheriff’s Department to speak to Swartzentruber. Pierce reported Swartzentruber admitted to Det. Cullison he had taken the neighbor’s keys and license plate.

According to Sgt. Pierce’s affidavit, when they conducted another interview with Swartzentruber on March 13, he talked to them about the events that occurred on February 26 and about his mental state and what steps he had taken to better his situation. Sgt. Pierce added that Swartzentruber said he felt safe in jail, that it was a safe option for him.

A criminal case was filed against Swartzentruber in Greene County on March 15 and a summons has been sent to him ordering him to appear in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on April 18.

In Greene County, Swartzentruber is facing preliminary charges of theft, a Class A misdemeanor, and criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor.