Three arrested in Dixon melons burglary

Danielle Switalski

Three men were arrested and charged with one count felony burglary for the September 12 theft of Harley and Joey Hettick’s residence and business, Dixon Melons.

The Sanders County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Dylan Leigh Rude, 18, William Weatherwax, 16, and Trevor D. Nault, 17, for allegedly stealing $60,000 worth of cash from a safe accidentally left open in the Hettick’s home. County Attorney Coleen Magera charged all three with a felony of Count-One Burglary.  Felony Burglary can have a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $50,000.

Joey Hettick said at the time of the burglary they had a good idea who made off with their seasonal earnings from melon sales, which were all kept in a safe in their basement until the Hetticks could move the money to a bank.

The three allegedly got into the residence through a basement window before making off with the Hetticks’ summer proceeds.

“We are at a point where we don’t have the money to plant next year’s crop, we are just kind of in limbo,” said Hettick.

Joey Hettick said her and her husband know all three of the accused as Nault was an employee of Dixon Melons, Inc. and worked the entire season, Rude worked for them for a day’s time and Weatherwax was “in their lives for many years.”

Nault, from Dixon, was the first of the three arrested and appeared in Sanders County District Court last week Tuesday, October 20.  Weatherwax and Rude were arrested a few days after Nault.

Nault was represented by Public Defender Kirk Krutilla with Judge Kim Christopher presiding over the hearing. Rude was set to appear in court on Tuesday, October 27.

Krutilla requested a Transfer Hearing where the court decides if a juvenile defendant can be tried as an adult.  The Transfer Hearing is set for November 3.

Hettick said Deputy Shawna Chenoweth, the primary officer on the case told them that “very little” was recovered from the stolen money and Hettick did not know an exact amount.  Hettick said she feels a sense of relief now that arrests were made, however, she added there is more to the story that she can not speak of at the moment.

“I do know we have some wonderful support, and people have just been awesome, we’ve had cash donations and lots of things that have been awesome, but it’s easy to give and hard to receive sometimes,” said Hettick who added her thanks for all the support her and her husband have received from the community and various law enforcement personnel.