DEKALB CO. – On Sunday, November 5, 2023, shortly before 5:00 p.m., the Indiana State Police were told by Steuben County 911 dispatchers of two recreational travel trailers reported stolen in Michigan, and currently being towed southbound on I-69 near the rest park in Steuben County.
Trooper Blake Kugler was on duty patrolling just south of that area when that information was broadcast.
Trooper Kugler identified two pickup trucks (a GMC Sierra and a Chevrolet Silverado) traveling southbound from the I-69 340-mile-marker, each pulling a travel trailer. As Trooper Kugler pulled up behind the two vehicles, he observed that neither camper had a license plate displayed. Both trucks exited the interstate at the 336-mile-marker Waterloo exit headed west on US6, and then turned into the gas station located on the corner of US6 and Dekalb County Road 27. Trooper Kugler activated his emergency lighting to initiate a traffic stop at that time.
At the same time, Waterloo Deputy Town Marshall Truman Owsley pulled up to assist Trooper Kugler on the stop, with several more troopers and officers from multiple local agencies not far behind.
As both pickup trucks came to a stop at the gas station, both drivers are alleged to have immediately exited and walked (then ran) away from the traffic stop. Trooper Kugler and Deputy Marshal Owsley gave chase. The first suspect driver was quickly apprehended by the two officers in the farm field south of US6. He was identified as Nicholas H. Shaneyfelt, 21, of Fort Wayne. The second suspect driver continued running.
After securing Shaneyfelt with Deputy Marshal Owsley, Trooper Kugler continued after the second driver. Kugler was assisted by a good Samaritan passing in a pickup truck who gave the trooper a ride, which expedited closing the distance on where the suspect was last seen.
From that point, Dekalb County Sheriff’s Deputy Mathew Haber and K9 partner “Rico” joined and assisted Trooper Kugler. The K9 team successfully tracked and located the second driver a short distance later in a wooded area south of US6 and CR27. He was taken into custody by several assisting officers without further incident. He was identified as Robert Earl Baylock, 27, of Fort Wayne.
Following the apprehensions, further investigation found that not only were both Keystone Cougar travel trailers reported stolen from a dealership in Michigan, but both pickup trucks had also been reported stolen. The 2008 GMC Sierra was reported stolen from a local business in southwest Allen County, and the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was reported stolen from a private residence in Fort Wayne.
Arrangements were made with the dealership in Michigan to have both trailers returned north, and both pickup trucks were returned to their respective owners in Allen County.
Baylock and Shaneyfelt are both facing charges of theft and resisting arrest and were transported to the Dekalb County Jail.
Trooper Kugler was assisted in this investigation by troopers from the Fort Wayne Post and the Toll Road Post, officers with the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Department, Auburn PD, Waterloo Town Marshal’s Office, Hamilton PD, Fort Wayne PD, the Coldwater PD (Michigan).
