Arrested and incarcerated at the Shelby County Jail is Robert L Barga, age 35, 866 S. Main Ave, Sidney Ohio charged with 2 counts of Forgery felonies of the 5th degree and one count of Driving on a Suspended Driver's License a misdemeanor of the 1st degree. Christina M Barga, age 41, 866 S. Main Ave, received a traffic citation for one count of Wrongful Entrustment a misdemeanor of the 1st degree. The traffic citations that both Robert & Christina Barga received were a result of an uncover operation conducted prior to the search warrant relating to suspicions that the Barga's were operating an illegal taxi cab.
As part of the theft by deception element of the investigation, investigators are reviewing a You Tube posting (link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UFEwcZP9Yw) to which Robert Barga is in a video soliciting funds from viewers to help support him and his family through tough economic times created because of the recent death of his wife. In the video Robert Barga identifies himself as "Josh" and that on Christmas Eve his wife passed away due to cancer. Investigators learned that Robert's wife, who is Christina Barga, was in fact not deceased. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office is working with internet providers to determine money amounts, if any, has been sent to the Barga's as a result of the You Tube posting.
The investigation into the fraudulent activities and operating an illegal taxi cab is ongoing and facts surrounding the incidents are being reviewed by the Shelby County Prosecutor for additional charges on both individuals.
This warrant execution was a result of a lengthy and cooperative investigative effort from the Sidney Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Secret Service. Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is encouraged to call 937-498-2351 or Crime Stoppers at 937-498-Tips.