Jennifer and Larry Frey accepted an award from county sheriff Tony Burns last Friday. The couple was instrumental in the arrest and convictions of three people they observed at a neighbor’s house. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe Carroll County Sheriff Tony Burns has requested on many occasions that community members be the “eyes and ears” for his department to help curb crime. One county couple heard Burn’s message and applied it to not only help a neighbor but they also helped to apprehend three suspects.

Larry and Jennifer Frey operate an agri-business in Clay Township. In March, Larry Frey noticed while he was in the field that a strange car was parked in the driveway of their neighbor. He asked Jennifer to call the neighbor at work. Jennifer verified that the car should not be at the residence and she called the sheriff’s department.

The car departed the area before the police could arrive, but Larry had made note of the make and model and color of the vehicle.

Later that day, Larry spotted the same vehicle as he was driving his truck, towing a cattle trailer. He called the sheriff’s department while he followed the suspects. He continued following the car until the police arrived. The sheriff’s department stopped the car and the suspects were taken into custody. They have since gone through the county justice system.

Burns awarded the Freys the “Community Samaritan Commendation,” in recognition of “meritorious assistance to the law enforcement profession and as an expression of our appreciation for your contribution” from the Indiana Sheriff’s Association.

“We never expected an award for doing what we thought we should do,” the couple said. “We were happy to help and we’d do it again!”

“This is the type of thing community members should be doing to help everyone else,” Burns said. “The Freys did exactly what we would want them to do in such a situation. The sheriff’s department is more effective when people in the community pull together and watch out for each other.”