On Oct. 11, Woods County Sheriff’s Deputy James Jones received information that Freedom Mercantile and Café had been broken into with money stolen, according to court records.

At 9:25 a.m. Jones made contact with business owner Larry Wise who explained that when he came to work the south side back door had been pried open to gain access. Both cash registers in the business had been left open with the cash taken but all the change was left in the registers with a few pieces scattered on the floor. Other items taken were 10 Milky Way candy bars, five JJ’s strawberry pies, seven JJ’s apple pies,...