CARROLL COUNTY, Ohio -- 

Officials with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office arrested two more suspects in connection with a string of area thefts and burglaries.


Investigators said the thieves took a wide variety of items, including thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, a nearly brand new all-terrain vehicle, deer stands and power tools.

Saturday night, police arrested 19-year-old Matthew Lanham and 20-year-old William Willis. The men are facing several charges, including theft of a firearm.


Sheriff Dale Williams said his deputies have been busy cracking down on thefts and burglaries around town.


"We've had a lot of burglaries and thefts in the northern part of the county, Brown Township, and we've had some down in Monroe Township," Williams said.


About a week ago, deputies made three arrests in connection to other burglaries, including one crime at an 84-year-old Monroe County man's home.

The sheriff said mainly homes and garages were targeted. All five suspects who were arrested face several felony charges including burglary and theft, and more charges are pending.


William said the trio arrested last week allegedly stole car starters and batteries, and the sheriff said they planned to make money.

"It seems like in this day and age, everything centers around drugs. They steal to buy drugs and they steal to force their habits," Williams said. "Thanks to my deputies and thanks to some other people's help we were able to put those together. And we're not done with those yet. I think there's more. The investigation is ongoing and hopefully we can solve some more with those."


Anyone with information about any of the burglaries is asked to call police or the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crimebusters Tipline at 800-862-BUST.