Man Nabbed for Stealing, Selling Hockey Gear

A Plainfield man accused of stealing hockey equipment from a garage and selling it to a local used sporting goods store was arrested Thursday on burglary and theft charges.

Brian J. Bixenman, 23, 24126 W. Chicago St., was picked up on a warrant issued after determined hockey gear stolen from a Plainfield garage had been sold by Bixenman to the Play It Again Sports store in Shorewood, Sgt. Kevin McQuaid said.

When items are reported stolen, it's common practice for the police to check local stores that buy used goods for resale, McQuaid said. The stores typically keep records and make copies of the driver's licenses of the people from whom they purchase items, so it was easy to link the goods to Bixenman, he said.

The theft occurred in July, and Bixenman has admitted his role in the break-in, McQuaid said. Police believe he may have been involved in other burglaries as well, perhaps to gain money for an alleged drug addiction, he said.

Drugs and drug-related items, including a spoon and needles, were also recovered from Bixenman's car Thursday. As as result, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brett W. Bixenman, 21, of the same Chicago Street address, was with his brother at the time of the police stop and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia as well.

McQuaid said two bags containing the drug items, one belonging to each of the brothers, were recovered.

Police are familiar with Bixenman family because of previous drug-related incidents, McQuaid said.

Bryanna Bixenman, 22, also of the Chicago Street address, has been arrested twice in the last year -- on charges of sale or possession of hypodermic syringes or needles and possession of drug equipment and on a warrant for failure to appear, Will County Sheriff's Office records show.