Fountain man accused of multiple crimes in 4 counties, 2 states to face charges here.

Reinhold

Fountain man accused of multiple crimes in 4 counties, 2 states to face charges here.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — A 26-year-old Fountain man, who allegedly stole a truck in Logan Township, carjacked a vehicle in Huron County, and committed armed robbery in Muskegon County, is expected to soon be charged for his alleged crimes in Mason County. 

Carl A. Reinhold was arrested on Feb. 13 in Jasper County, Ind. following a traffic stop on I-65. 

On Thursday, Feb. 11, Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a house in Logan Township for a report of a stolen vehicle. 

“The subject reported his vehicle (a 2001 Chevrolet pickup) was stolen by a subject who showed up at his house,” said Mason County Undersheriff Derrek Wilson.

“He was unknown to the caller and was thought to be under the influence or having some mental issues. The caller stated the subject left the residence in his truck.”That night the vehicle was discovered in Huron County, where it was believed Reinhold is accused of taking another vehicle during a carjacking in Huron County. According to court reports, he stole a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox from a high school parking lot. The victim was an 18-year-old female who was apparently waiting for a family member to come out of USA High School. Reinhold allegedly threatened the woman with a knife. The victim fled the vehicle following the threat. 

Huron County Sheriff’s Office deputies found the Chevrolet pickup from Mason County in the high school parking lot. 

He was also allegedly involved in an armed robbery that occurred in the morning hours of Feb. 12, 2021 at a hotel in Whitehall in Muskegon County.

On Feb. 13, about 9 a.m., Indiana State Police Master Trooper Martin Benner was patrolling I-65 near the 212 mile-marker when he observed a maroon Chevrolet Equinox driving northbound with a flat front tire along the outside shoulder, a press release from the Indiana State Police stated. Benner proceeded to follow the vehicle with emergency lights because he believed the driver was attempting to make it to a safe location to change the tire.

As the vehicle approached the exit ramp to Rensselaer, Brenner reports that the driver, Reinhold, made an erratic lane change, driving in the lane of travel and not on the shoulder. Benner initiated a traffic stop, curbing the vehicle on the ramp at exit 215.

As Brenner was speaking to Reinhold, Reinhold requested additional officers as well as medics to be dispatched to the scene. Reinhold then rolled the window up as he was displaying his identification to the trooper.

As additional troopers arrived, Troopers report that a knife was seen in the Reinhold’s possession. Reinhold continued to make threats of harming himself, resulting in a hostage negotiator being called to the scene.

As the negotiations with Reinhold broke down, troopers report being able to get into the vehicle and he was taken into custody without harming himself or any officers.

Reinhold was transported to a hospital where he was medically cleared and later processed for booking at the Jasper County Jail.

Troopers reported that the vehicle was reportedly stolen in Michigan, the result of a carjacking in Huron County.

Rienhold was initially held at the Jasper County Jail awaiting warrants to be filed in Michigan and extradition back to there.  He was preliminarily charged in Jasper County with the auto theft- level 6 felony, theft- class A misdemeanor, resisting law enforcement- class A misdemeanor, possession of marijuana- class B misdemeanor, possession of paraphernalia- class C misdemeanor.

In late March, Reinhold was arraigned in Huron County on charges of carjacking and armed robbery. Prosecutor Timothy Rutkowski asked Judge David Herrington to set bond at $250,000 cash/surety, as recommended by the county magistrate. 

Reinhold attorney, Eric Matwiejczyk, stated during the Huron County arraignment that Reinhold faces two counts of armed robbery and larceny of a motor vehicle in Muskegon County. 

Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Lauren Kreinbrink said Reinhold will be arraigned in Mason County on charges of unlawfully driving away a motor vehicle. 

(see related story here). 

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