A 34-year-old Indiana man has been charged with 20 counts of theft after authorities say he stole more than $76,000 worth of merchandise from three Menards locations in Fort Wayne. Detectives arrested him while he was already in court for a separate theft case.
Investigators Track Months of Alleged Thefts
According to the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD), their Street Crimes Unit began investigating the case in January after a Menards corporate investigator flagged suspicious activity. The suspect, identified as Brandon Gerber, allegedly carried out a string of thefts between May and December 2024.
Detectives uncovered an extensive pattern:
- 41 felony thefts, totaling approximately $57,553.59
- 53 misdemeanor thefts, totaling approximately $18,994.82
This brought the total value of stolen merchandise to $76,548.41 across all three Menards stores in the city.
Arrest Made in Courtroom
Gerber’s charges were formally filed on March 5. As detectives tracked him down, they discovered he was already in court that day for an unrelated theft case. Officers took him into custody on the spot and transported him to the Allen County Jail.
Facing 20 Counts, No Bond
Gerber now faces 10 counts of theft (Level 6 Felony) and 10 counts of theft (Class A Misdemeanor). Due to his pending theft cases, he is being held without bond.
Law enforcement officials say the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges could be possible.
