More than $100,000 worth of stolen property recovered

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Police are hoping to return your stolen goods just in time for the holidays.

A big theft bust in South Bend now has law enforcement all across Michiana looking to identify and return more than 700 items.

“People that steal they don’t care what it is they just know there’s a dollar value attached to it. They don’t care if it’s $1, $100 or $1000,” said Cpt. Tony Bontrager of South Bend Police.

The pile of recovered goods shown off by police Wednesday is worth more than $100,000.

But some individual items are priceless.

Police say the persons behind the theft swiped everything from used dentures, jewelry, lawnmowers and washing machines to firearms.

“You're not just taking a piece of property; you're probably taking away from somebody that can be a piece of somebody that has passed away,” said Cpt. Bontrager.

Officers were able to find all the stolen stuff after serving three warrants across two locations.

Some of these items were reported missing many miles away including Cass County and Osceola.

Police say so far Peter Allen Wharton has been arrested and charged with theft.