Eric Pfishner, 36, of Elkhart, was sentenced February 3, 2016 in Marshall Superior Court No. 1 to a 20 year sentence as a result of a string of burglaries and break-ins in Bremen, Indiana. Pfishner will be imprisoned at the Indiana Department of Correction pursuant to a plea agreement between Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tami Napier and defense attorney, Burke Richeson. Judge Robert O. Bowen sentenced Pfishner under the terms of the plea to serve 15 years executed at the Indiana Department of Correction followed by 5 years of suspended time.
In open court, Pfishner admitted that between February, 2014 and April, 2014, he committed a series of residential burglaries and residential break-ins at homes around Lake of the Woods near Bremen. Most of the homes were lake houses. Detective Jeff Snyder of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department investigated the incidents. All of the break-ins occurred within mere feet of each other on each occasion. The method of entry, items stolen and condition of the scene when discovered were all substantially the same, if not identical.
None of the homeowners were able to provide the name or description of a suspect. However, during the course of the investigation Det. Snyder was able to collect a glove. DNA samples were found on the glove and submitted for analysis to the Indiana State Police Laboratory.
At the scene of one of the burglaries an opened soft drink was found. Swabs were taken around the drinking portion of the can and submitted for analysis to the Indiana State Police Laboratory.
Laboratory scientists were able to determine that that the DNA derived from the glove and the soft drink can matched the DNA profile of Pfishner.
Prosecuting Attorney Nelson Chipman praised the detective work of all officers and departments involved. “Detective Jeff Snyder of the Marshall County Police Department, as lead investigator, was particularly effective in putting an end to Mr. Pfishner’s criminal career, at least for the next several years. And the evidence technicians from the Indiana State Police, particularly Lamar Helmuth, was instrumental in bringing a successful conclusion to this rash of burglaries. The neighbors were also helpful in reporting the burglaries of vacant homes.” Chipman added, “Watching the teamwork necessary to effectively gather evidence for submission to scientific test, is a fascinating experience. We all can be proud of the work on this case.”
Pfishner remains incarcerated in the Marshall County Jail until transport to the Indiana Department of Correction.
