Police arrest two teens for Elkhart carjacking, murder

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Police arrested 19-year-old Joshua Love (pictured) and a 13-year-old boy in connection with the March 8, 2008 murder of 35-year-old Gerald Wenger

Police arrested 19-year-old Joshua Love (pictured) and a 13-year-old boy in connection with the March 8, 2008 murder of 35-year-old Gerald Wenger. (Photo provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 15, 2008 at 12:39 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 15, 2008 at 12:42 PM EDT

ELKHART — Two teenagers are in custody for murdering an Elkhart man.

Police arrested 19-year-old Josh Love and a 13-year-old boy Thursday for carjacking, armed robbery and murder.

Police say the two shot and killed 35-year-old Gerald Wenger on March 8. Officers found his body on a sidewalk near the intersection of Middlebury and Monroe streets. An autopsy later confirmed he died from a gunshot wound.

Love was already in the St. Joseph County Jail for unrelated firearms charges.

The 13-year-old will appear before a juvenile judge on Monday.

Monday, Jun 16 at 3:56 AM anom wrote ...

lets all jus pray 2 god that the judge dnt let these punks back on the streets so they can shoot sum 1 else. the judicial system these dayz is a joke. sum1 get murdered, they go 2 jail for bout 6 mo and they out, but a drug bust ur going 2 jail 4 life, plz get it 2gether judges. lock these punks up in a 3/5 cell. wit no food, water, well mayb a glass a day. it's ridiculous

Friday, May 16 at 1:11 PM AL wrote ...

For all of you who are feeling sorry for these two: STOP already!! Did you get the part of the story that someone was murdered by these two and that he is dead. These scumbags may be in jail for their lives, but the other guy doesn't have one anymore. I'm so sick of bleeding heart rhetoric like this. Maybe you'd change your tune if it were your family member who met a vicious end by thugs! Your empathy is sadly misplaced.

Friday, May 16 at 9:07 AM Megan wrote ...

You want suggestions? From people who aren't part of the problem? All of us who are raising our children to be respectful and responsible can only deal defensively with this culture or throw our resources into various charitable efforts to keep kids in school and out of gangs/off the streets...but you're demanding answers from the wrong demographic here. How can we force these kids' parents to do their job?! (which is the only solution. All other ways of dealing are just treating the symptoms.)

Friday, May 16 at 7:45 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Anon I agree with you. The sad part is the circles that these kids ran with seem to think it’s cool to be a gangster and to CAP someone. I fear it’s an epidemic with no cure. I personally don’t see the attraction but these kids do. The music and movie industry glamorize this behavior. Mix that with insufficient education and spirituality and this is what happens.

Thursday, May 15 at 11:28 PM Anonymous wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims family,and to the family of the accused...God be with you......

Thursday, May 15 at 5:15 PM anon wrote ...

Why make vicious remarks..it's a tragedy..all the way around..why are we so quick to jump in and make suggestions on punishment? How about jumping in and making suggestions on how to prevent this type of behavior in our young people. It has become an epidemic. Maybe if we put the same amount of time into coming up with a solution as we do in coming up with cruel things to say we could actually make a difference. Or could it be that the cruelty of society is the real root of the problem.

Thursday, May 15 at 5:14 PM Anonymous wrote ...

If can't do the crime, then don't do the crime. Sad someone died. It is a tragedy in a deed.

Thursday, May 15 at 5:03 PM Anon wrote ...

I feel sorry for the victim here but not one bit for the scum suspects.

Thursday, May 15 at 4:07 PM Anonymous wrote ...

You idiots can make jokes and make fun, but this is a terrible tragedy and someone has lost a loved one. Can you have any heart about you and think of the family of the deceased person and how they feel reading all of your sarcastic remarks? How would you feel if it were your family member? This is no joking matter.

Thursday, May 15 at 3:56 PM Ned wrote ...

THEY will kick these murderers back to the street within a few months, maybe a couple years in federally funded criminal training camp - oh sorry, prison - to get them trained on how to avoid getting caught next time. All this so THEY can pass even more socialist laws to control us.

Thursday, May 15 at 3:49 PM THE THINKER wrote ...

WHY DIDN'T HE DO US THE SAME FAVOR AS THE DUDE FROM MONTEREY DID!

Thursday, May 15 at 3:46 PM Taxpayer wrote ...

What a POS! I hope they fry him so we don't have to pay for him to live in prison for the rest of his miserable life with our taxes! I am gald they cought this punk!

Thursday, May 15 at 3:42 PM Trebor wrote ...

This is the product of "Gangsta" rap. One day they will stand before God, I hope this guy doesn't look so stupid then.

Thursday, May 15 at 3:00 PM Anonymous wrote ...

You can make jokes about this but it is very sad.It's sad that a life was lost but it's also said hearing that a 19 and 13 year old is to blame. Where were they failed that someone so young could do something so horrilbe. They had a whold life ahead of them and now they will have to live it behind bars. Very sad.

Thursday, May 15 at 2:39 PM james wrote ...

EXECUTE HIM. NOTHING BUT A LOW LIFE PIECE OF GARBAGE

Thursday, May 15 at 2:28 PM Rick wrote ...

One more idiot off the street. Too bad an innocent man had to die. He will love the pillow.

Thursday, May 15 at 2:17 PM Michelle wrote ...

A 13 year old committed a murder, so sad. He'll probably see his parents in jail also. I just wonder if he will be tried as an adult. I know it says Juvie hall, but come on. As for the 19 year old, such a fine outstanding citizen, lol.

Thursday, May 15 at 2:03 PM Yeah right wrote ...

I sure hope he can look that tough once he's at the Big House with Bubba!!

Thursday, May 15 at 2:02 PM Steve-O wrote ...

I agree with you anon---this guy was in the library reading when the murder happened. must be the wrong guy.

Thursday, May 15 at 1:42 PM T Gaskill wrote ...

No remorse in his eyes that I see. Probably wasn't spanked enough as a kid, it's ok. I'm sure he will get plenty of that while in prison.

Thursday, May 15 at 1:15 PM To Anonymous wrote ...

Sure we attends church on Sunday as well. Some poor innocent individual is dead for no good reason. Death penalty is the only option in this case.

Thursday, May 15 at 12:51 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I think they got the wrong man. The guy in the picture looks like a fine upstanding citizen! Must be a mistake.

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