Steuben County Sheriff's Office

It’s National First Responders Day! Please join the Sheriff’s Office in thanking all of Steuben County’s First Responders on this special day! Our community is truly blessed!!

Fugitive Matthew Wayne Friedel Apprehended in West Virginia

On 09/22/2025 just before 4:00 pm, wanted fugitive 36-year-old Matthew Wayne Friedel was located and apprehended without incident in Rock, WV located in a remote area of Mercer County. Friedel had been the subject of a joint fugitive investigation between the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and the US Marshals Service since early August.

He was wanted out of Steuben County for Dealing Methamphetamine, a level 2 felony along with several warrants for failing to appear in court on other cases. After several weeks of investigation, information was received indicating that Friedel had fled Steuben County and was possibly in West Virginia.

The US Marshals Service in Fort Wayne, IN then reached out to the US Marshals Service in Bluefield, WV to follow up on that information. Friedel was subsequently located and taken into custody with the assistance of the West Virginia State Police and air support from the Army National Guard.

Friedel was then taken to the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, WV by the West Virginia State Police where he remains held pending extradition back to Indiana. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank all those who assisted with tips and information.

Also assisting the Sheriff's Office in the fugitive investigation were the Angola Police, Indiana State Police, Fremont Town Marshal's Office, Fremont Fire Department, and the LaGrange County Sheriff's Office.

**Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**

**Update - The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been recovered. Mr. Friedel still remains at large.**

Sheriff's Office Seeking Information In Vehicle Theft Investigation

On 09/11/2025 just before 7:00 am, a white 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee was stolen from a local business on CR 150 S just outside of the south Angola City limits. The vehicle has both front and rear-end damage, and was last known to have an Indiana In God We Trust license plate of DJJ511. The vehicle is possibly being driven by 36-year-old Matthew Wayne Friedel who is wanted out of Steuben County for Dealing in Methamphetamine, a level 2 felony. Photos of Friedel and the actual stolen vehicle are attached. Anyone who may have seen this vehicle or has any information on its whereabouts is asked to contact Sheriff's Detective Todd Johnson at 260-668-1000 Ext. 5130, Steuben County Crime Stoppers at 260-668-STOP (7867), or your local law enforcement agency.

**Any criminal charge is merely an accusation. The Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.**

Never Forget!!