KINGSTON, OH — Two men are in custody after Pickaway County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported break-in at a garage on Kingston-Adelphi Road early Wednesday morning, October 15, 2025.
According to Sheriff Matthew O. Hafey, the homeowner called 911 around 6:26 a.m., reporting that they could hear suspects inside their garage and believed the individuals were trying to break into a safe. While deputies were en route, the caller reported seeing one of the suspects flee out the back door.
When deputies and detectives arrived, they began reviewing trail camera footage from the property, which provided clear physical descriptions of the suspects. During the investigation, they learned that one suspect had run into a vacant residence on the property, breaking a basement window to escape.
As deputies cleared a semi-trailer nearby, they located and arrested Justin K. Counts, 34, of Marengo, Ohio, who matched one of the suspects seen on camera. Shortly afterward, deputies spotted another man walking nearby who also matched the description of a second suspect. That man, identified as Kevin Fields, 38, of Cardington, Ohio, was also taken into custody.
Both Counts and Fields were transported to the Pickaway County Jail, where they were charged with Breaking and Entering (F5), Theft (F5), and Safecracking (F4). They were scheduled to appear for arraignment in Circleville Municipal Court the following morning, October 16, at 10 a.m.
Sheriff Hafey praised his deputies and detectives for their quick and effective response, noting that during the course of the investigation, a third suspect was identified, and all stolen property has been recovered and returned to the homeowner.
The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident.
