SOUTH BEND — Two alleged burglars were captured by an armed citizen after they allegedly broke into a shop on the outskirts of South Bend. The incident transpired on Feb. 6 at approximately 4:21 p.m. and led to a response from multiple law enforcement agencies.

The alleged crime was noticed when one of the property’s caretakers drove by and noticed two men standing in front of a Penske moving truck. The man reportedly swung into the property’s driveway and called two others for backup.

According to court records, the man drew his firearm and detained the two suspects until officers from the South Bend and Raymond police departments, along with deputies from the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, arrived on the scene.

“The [caretaker] advised me that there were lots of items loaded on moving dollies and many different items that were moved around in the shop and pulled closer to the front doors,” investigating SBPD Officer Jordan Dockter stated in court records.

[He] advised me that they believed there was another subject with the [two men] due to them making a mention about another person. I did an initial walk through the property up toward the shop at this time with the [caretakers],” Dockter added.

Deputy Kyle Pettit and K9 partner Kova were one of the units on scene and conducted a thorough search of the property, including a shop surrounded by thick brush and forest land.

Dockter and the other officers discovered a muddy trail from the driveway and a torn-down fence that led to the shop. The path was allegedly “well-traveled” and ended at a door with pry marks suggesting it was broken into. Inside the shop, it had reportedly been rummaged through end-to-end.

“Near the back of the Penske truck was a boxed welding cabinet strapped to a moving dolly that appeared to be totally dry on top of the box even though it had been raining out previously that day. This led me to believe that this welding cabinet was recently moved outside the shop,” Dockter stated.

According to court records, the property’s owner and another caretaker also arrived at the scene. The suspects allegedly moved or took approximately $20,000 worth of equipment and items from the shop, which included vehicle jacks, a tool chest and a generator.

Dockter was able to determine via a receipt that the men rented the moving truck earlier that day, and it was scheduled to be returned on Feb. 7. The suspects have been identified as William C. Baillie, 44, of Tacoma, and Scott D. Reeder, 55, also from Tacoma.

“I asked Reeder about what he was doing on the property in which he advised a subject named Arnesto told him he could come to the property and that Arnesto was there the previous day,” Dockter stated. “Reeder advised that him and Baillie had only been there for about an hour since they were confronted.

“I asked Reeder what they were doing on the property. Reeder advised me that they were just standing by the Penske truck and walked around the yard but didn’t go inside; he advised that they are scrappers and were looking for scrap but did not go inside,” Dockter added. “I asked Reeder who moved the toolbox, for instance, that was halfway down the trail. Reeder told me that he didn’t know, maybe Arnesto did.”

Dockter reportedly educated Reeder about properly gaining access to a property, which includes asking permission, and that attempting to take items without consent isn’t a bright idea.

“Reeder kept trying to tell me that the other people are just mad because they are scrappers [too] and on their territory,” Dockter stated. “I advised Reeder that they need to get permission to be on any property, to begin with, let alone take items from a property that they don’t even belong to. Reeder continued to tell me how the place looked abandoned and he didn’t see an issue with it because there wasn’t any ‘No Trespassing’ signs on the property.”

Baillie allegedly gave up more concise information and pointed to “Arnesto” and another alleged accomplice, “Michelle,” who he said lives in South Bend.

“Baillie advised me that a lady that lives in South Bend told ‘Arnesto’ about the property and that the owner had died and that he could come get anything,” Dockter stated. “Baillie then advised me that ‘Arnesto’ told him and Reeder that they could come to the property and take whatever they wanted because it had been abandoned for years.”

The former owner of the property, Jerry Atnip, passed away in 2019, and the property is owned by his wife and maintained by several caretakers.

According to court records, Baillie provided law enforcement with information that helped them hone in on the alleged accomplices and the investigation is ongoing.

Baillie was booked into the Pacific County Jail on Feb. 6 for second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, third-degree malicious mischief, and a drug possession charge. Reeder was also booked for second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, and third-degree malicious mischief.

The men appeared for a preliminary hearing in the Pacific County Superior Court, and Judge Donald J. Richter set Baillie’s bail at $30,000 and Reeder’s at $50,000. The men are scheduled to be formally arraigned on Feb. 9.