Two people linked to the shooting death of a Seymour man now face charges in Jennings County for a burglary that occurred the day before the slaying.
Daniel L. Combs, 32, and Andrea M. Hollin, 25, are accused of breaking into a North Vernon apartment April 29 to steal jewelry, cash and medications, according to the probable cause affidavit in that case.
The two are being held in the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown, awaiting trial in the April 30 slaying and robbery of Gilbert L. Engle, 42, of Seymour. That incident happened at Engle’s downtown apartment after a night of using drugs, including heroin, police said.
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Jessica L. Jarrell, 21, of North Vernon, also faces criminal charges in Engle’s death.
The new criminal charges were filed this week in Jennings Circuit Court against Combs and Hollin, who were dating, court documents said.
Combs also faces charges related to another case in Jennings County. This case involves a break-in that occurred a day earlier at the same apartment complex, according to court documents.
The events that led to the newest charges began April 28 when police said burglars gained access to a North Vernon apartment complex office by cutting through a wall. Once inside, they stole an apartment key, according to court records.
Then on April 29, police said they believe the same people used that key to enter an apartment. A disabled woman living in that apartment was home at the time.
One burglar wore a Darth Vader mask, and another wore an orange mask, police said.
They left with pills, cash and a gold necklace. The pills later were traded for methamphetamine, police said. The necklace was sold.
Robert Corey Frietzsche of North Vernon was arrested in the case and faces charges of burglary, a Level 5 felony; burglary of a dwelling, a Level 4 felony; residential entry, a Level 6 felony; and two counts of theft.
Besides the eight felony counts, including two murder charges Combs faces in Jackson County, he now faces two counts of burglary, one a Level 5 felony and the second a Level 4 felony; residential entry, a Level 6 felony; two counts of theft; and criminal mischief in Jennings County.
Combs’ trial in Jackson County is set for July 7 after he asked Judge Richard Poynter for a speedy trial during his initial hearing.
Hollin, who faces robbery, weapons and drug charges in Jackson County in the Engle case, now faces charges of burglary of a dwelling (conspiracy to commit), a Level 4 felony; residential entry, a Level 6 felony; and theft in Jennings County. She told police she was involved in the thefts, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Hollin, who is being held on a $100,000 bond in Jackson County, has a reduction of bond hearing set for 2 p.m. June 23 in Jackson Circuit Court.
Police believe Engle was slain on the morning of April 30 as part of a robbery that occurred after Combs, Hollin, Jarrell, who was dating Engle, and Engle’s roommate were at Engle’s apartment at 207 N. Chestnut St.
Methamphetamine, marijuana and heroin were used throughout the night, and those at the apartment went out to do laundry, go shopping at Walmart and buy food at McDonald’s, according to court documents.
Combs, Hollin and Jarrell took a PT Cruiser, which Engle had borrowed from his ex-wife, and left the area to go toward Columbus.
Hollin got out of the vehicle at a gas station in Columbus and then came to the police department. She told police she was involved in the robbery but had “no idea” the other two would harm Engle, police said.
Jarrell stayed in the vehicle until they reached Hamilton County, where the PT Cruiser ran out of gas. She turned herself in to police in Jennings County a little more than a day later, according to court documents.
Police said Combs left the vehicle behind and was arrested on a methamphetamine charge by police in Arcadia in Hamilton County on May 1.