The Tioga County Sheriff's Office announces there have been updates to an investigation into stolen property that occurred in Nichols in October 2024.

According to the office, on October 28th, the office's Criminal Investigation Division and investigators with Pennsylvania State Police Towanda began a joint investigation after reports of several burglaries that had occurred in northern Pennsylvania. Collected information led investigators to learn that stolen property from the PA burglaries was located at a Town of Nichols residence.

On October 29th, a search warrant was executed at 821 South Main Street in Nichols. Numerous stolen power tools and household items from the recent PA burglaries were recovered. Additionally, one pound of crystal meth, electronic scales, large amounts of packaging material, and suspected drug proceeds of $1,380 were all seized.

On November 1st, Candi R. Bellis and Dustin J. Relyea were arrested and charged with the following:

• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd degree
• Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd degree
• 2 counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd degree
 

At the time, Bellis and Relyea were released on their own recognizance and were scheduled to appear in court on November 13th.

On January 30th, the office announced more arrests had been made in connection with the investigation back at the end of October.

Nicholas R. Whitmarsh of Owego was arrested on December 4th and charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd degree. He was arraigned, released, and was supposed to appear in court on January 22nd.

Amanda L. Hazard of Nichols was arrested on November 25th and charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th degree. She was supposed to appear in court on December 11th. Hazard was later arrested on January 22nd for being a Fugitive from Justice from Pennsylvania. She was wanted on the charges of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Trespass. 

Bellis was also arrested on January 22nd as a Fugitive from Justice from Pennsylvania. She'd been wanted on an arrest warrant on the charges of Burglary, Criminal Trespass, and Theft by Unlawful Taking. Finally, Relyea was also arrested for being a Fugitive from Justice in Pennsylvania on the 22nd after he was wanted on the charges of Burglary, Criminal Trespass, and Theft by Unlawful Taking.

The office is still trying to find Whitmarsh and Victor L. Spencer of Owego. Both are considered to be Fugitives from Justice from Pennsylvania. Arrest warrants were issued on January 22nd out of PA for Burglary and other related charges.