1 jailed after 2 of 3 horses stolen from Mercer County Fairgrounds die of crash injuries

John R. Eichter

Credit: MERCER COUNTY JAIL

Credit: MERCER COUNTY JAIL

John R. Eichter

Two of three horses stolen from the Mercer County Fairgrounds were discovered Tuesday morning in an overturned trailer in the middle of the roadway.

Sheriff Jeff Grey said his office received the call shortly before 7 a.m. about the horses found on Wabash Road near Skeels Road. The horses died of their injuries.

Deputies quickly learned the trailer and horses were taken from the fairgrounds, and that a third horse also was missing, the sheriff said in a release.

Tips from the community led to a suspect, and arrangements are being made to return the third horse to its owner. Several other items also were stolen from the horse barn at the fairgrounds, including a tack, saddle, wheels, horse shoes and are in the process of being recovered, the sheriff stated.

Deputies arrested 21-year-old John R. Eicher of Berne, Indiana, who is being held on a $100,000 bond on suspicion of theft in the Mercer County jail.

The case will be sent to county Prosecutor Matt Fox for review and possible additional charges.

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