DEKALB COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) — A Garrett Common Councilman, his wife, and son are facing theft charges after allegedly stealing espresso equipment from a local coffee shop and using it to open their own drive-up coffee business.
66-year-old Bobby Diederich, 62-year-old Julie Diederich, and 37-year-old Ryan Diederich have all been charged with theft (Level 6 Felony) and Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony) after an investigation revealed they allegedly stole an espresso machine, coffee grinder, and other items valued at over $6,000 from The Grind, a mobile coffee trailer.
The investigation began in early February 2023, after the owner of The Grind, Kayla Wegman, reported the theft that had occurred between July 19-24, 2022, while she was out of town. Wegman told detectives that during this period, the equipment and several other items, including cash and a safety deposit box, were taken from the trailer.
Wegman suspected Ryan Diederich and his family were involved, as she had noticed discrepancies related to the coffee shop’s camera system. Investigators revealed that Bobby Diederich had exclusive access to the surveillance footage, and during their investigation, Bobby allegedly obstructed attempts to view the video that might have identified the thief. He was reported to have made statements implying his influence in Garrett, including that he could “make things happen” due to his position on the council.
On February 12, 2023, detectives observed an espresso machine matching the description of the stolen one at the Coffee Cabin drive-thru, a business owned by Bobby and Julie Diederich. A search warrant was executed at the location, and although Bobby initially claimed the machine was purchased by his wife, he failed to provide a receipt. The machine was eventually seized, and Wegman confirmed it was hers upon inspection. The serial number on the machine matched the one from her records.
All three Diederich family members were arrested and booked into DeKalb County Jail on February 17, 2023. As of the time of publication, an initial hearing date has not been set.
This case is drawing attention not only because of the alleged theft but also due to Bobby Diederich’s position on the Garrett Common Council, raising questions about the abuse of political influence.
