For the police officer, the man’s body language was the giveaway. His combative stance and his abrupt hand movement hinted at the possibility of danger.A northeast Indiana man is accused of theft and misrepresenting himself as country music singer Brantley Gilbert.
Thomas Michael Barth, 25, of Howe, has been charged with two counts of felony theft, according to a statement issued by the Warsaw Police Department.
It said he sent emails and text messages to Robert's Signs of Warsaw and musician Kevin Kyle of Winona Lake that appeared as if they were sent by Gilbert himself.
The police department said Barth received $8,000 worth of personalized products and clothing from Robert's Signs during a three-month period and that he also ordered and got more than $4,000 in musical and electronic equipment from Kyle, as well as a computer.
Much of the merchandise has been recovered, and the department said it appears Barth was not working with anyone else.
The statement said Barth acknowledged earlier this month to representing himself as a photographer and agent, and that he said he sent the texts and messages that appeared to be from Gilbert.
The police department reported that Gilbert and his managers have had a number of complaints about Barth's activities.
He turned himself in at the LaGrange County Jail on Thursday and was to be taken to the Kosciusko County Jail, the police department said. The bond amount was not immediately available.
