Several men charged with burglarizing Central Kentucky distillery
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Three Cincinnati men face burglary charges after break-in at Castle and Key.
- Suspects damaged property, stole alcohol and attempted to flee from police.
- Authorities identified two other suspects; all main suspects bonded out.
Several men from Cincinnati are accused of burglarizing and damaging property at a distillery in Central Kentucky.
The incident happened Aug. 23 at the Castle & Key Distillery in Woodford County. Court documents say three men from Cincinnati— Christopher Collins, Justin Link and Gabriel Rinier — broke into the distillery and went on a crime spree that lasted several hours and hit multiple buildings on the property.
Two other men were involved in the incident, according to TV station LEX 18. The fourth man was passed out in a car the entire time, while the fifth man managed to escape, but police have since identified him and have gathered evidence.
The men carried around a ladder and looked for buildings to break into on the night of the burglary, according to court documents. They illegally entered a home and two other buildings.
At the home, the men removed and broke a television, causing $800 in damage, according to court documents. They also damaged a delivery truck and stole a bottle of bourbon from a liquor storage trailer.
When authorities approached the men, they fled in different directions. Court documents say they attempted to steal a golf cart, damaging the ignition in the process.
Collins, 20; and Link, 19; were later found hiding in the woods, while Rinier, 20, fled across a river onto an embankment before surrendering, according to court documents.
Collins, Link and Rinier are charged with three counts of burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools. Collins and Rinier are also charged with third-degree fleeing or evading police, while Rinier is charged with alcohol intoxication in a public place.
Police have not publicly identified the fourth and fifth suspects.
Collins, Link and Rinier all posted bond within eight days of their arrest and are no longer in custody, according to court records. Collins posted a $15,000 bond, while Link and Rinier each partially posted their $15,000 bond.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 1:56 PM.
