Columbus couple faces 37 charges related to breaking into vehicles

AMANDA ZEIGLER
DUSTIN HURLEY

From a FCSD press release

After a long investigation by Franklin County Sheriff’s Department deputies, a Columbus, Indiana couple has been charged for their alleged involvement in a series of vehicle break-ins in Franklin County.

Dustin A. Hurley, 33, of Columbus and Amanda L. Zeigler, 31, also of Columbus, were charged with 37 counts associated with a series of vehicle break-ins, which occurred over several weeks. Among the charges the pair face include: Theft, as a level 6 felony, and Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, also as a level 6 felony.

 The couple is currently being held in the Dearborn County Jail on unrelated charges.

The 37 counts are for the couple’s alleged involvement in the Franklin County cases. The pair may still face charges in other counties. If convicted of a Level 6 Felony, a person can face up to three years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines for each separate incident. Charges are merely an accusation, and all criminal suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 Deputies would like to remind citizens to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables from the vehicle.

Additional information:

Charges against Hurley and Zeigler have been filed in Union County and as mentioned earlier, Dearborn County.

In Union County, Hurley is charged with Resisting Law Enforcement, as a Level 6 Felony; Theft with prior conviction for either theft or conversion, as a Level 6 Felony; and Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, as a class B misdemeanor.

Zeigler is being charged with Theft, as a class A misdemeanor; and Unauthorized Entry of a Motor Vehicle, as a class B misdemeanor in Union County.

In Dearborn County, Hurley is charged with Unlawful Possession of Syringe, as a Level 6 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, as a Level 6 Felony; and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV, as a class A misdemeanor

Zeigler has similar charges in Dearborn County, along with some Driving while Impaired charges. Her charges are: Unlawful Possession of Syringe, as a Level 6 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, as a Level 6 Felony; Possession of a Controlled Substance-Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV, as a class A misdemeanor; Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, as a class A misdemeanor; and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, as a class C misdemeanor.

More information will be added to this as it becomes available.