Police: Burglary ring busted

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November 23, 2009

Tips lead police to eight individuals

By SCOTT SMITH The Kokomo Tribune Mon Nov 23, 2009, 11:25 PM EST

Two juveniles and five adults have been arrested in connection with a rash of burglaries in September, Kokomo police announced Monday.

Nine churches, three businesses, a community center and two residential garages were burglarized within a three- to four-day period in September, Kokomo Detective Michael Banush said.

Police immediately suspected the burglaries were connected, Banush said.

“Usually, when you have churches getting hit that often, it’s normally the same individuals involved, when you’re talking about that short of a time period,” he said.

An anonymous tip led police to the first of the suspects back in September, shortly after the last of the burglaries. One by one, Banush said, the police located the suspects involved, and recovered stolen merchandise.

Warrants began going out Oct. 30 for the arrest of eight individuals. Seven of the eight are now in custody, including one individual suspected of being present at all 15 crime scenes.

Police have recovered “thousands of dollars” worth of stolen items, mainly electronics like flat-screen televisions and laptop computers, Banush said.

“They hid some of it, some of it they sold, some of it they had at their homes. We recovered the majority of it,” he said.

All six adults and the two juveniles — a 17-year-old male 16-year-old female — face burglary charges.

Banush said police are still looking for Felicia Earnest, 19, who is wanted on a warrant for two counts of burglary. The rest of the individuals were arrested over the past two weeks, he said.

The suspect facing the most charges, Matthew Wilhoite, 20, faces a warrant for 14 counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary, all felony charges.

Under Indiana law, burglarizing a business is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 8 years in prison; burglarizing a residence, a place of worship, or using a deadly weapon while committing burglary are all considered Class B felonies, punishable by up to 20 years.

In addition to Wilhoite and Earnest, burglary charges were filed against Roger Slaton, 20, four counts; Matthew Cottingham, 23, two counts; Devan Crume, 19, two counts; and Chad Scott, 19, two counts.

Crume and Scott also face Class D felony theft charges, and Cottingham also has a felony attempted burglary charge.

The churches burglarized were:

• Disciples of Christ Church, 1229 N. Apperson Way

• Bon Air Church of the Nazarene, 2419 N. Locke St.

• Everlasting Dominion Church, 704 E. Elm St.

• Salvation Army Church, 1100 block of South Waugh Street

• First Presbyterian Church, 2000 W. Jefferson St.

• First Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, 2324 N. Ohio St.

• Radiant Life Church

• Courtland Avenue Church of Christ, 1217 S. Courtland Ave.

• Christ Temple Apostolic Church, 416 E. Richmond St.

The “Tots to the Top” daycare center, 704 S. Bell St., was burglarized, as was Lexi’s Drink Barn, 700 N. Washington St., Elvies, 1300 W. Mulberry St., and garages at 1115 N. Morrison St. and 233 N. Forest Drive.

Banush said one of those garages contained numerous firearms, including two assault rifles.

He said police are still hoping to recover those weapons, including an SKS assault rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, a Dakin 16-gauge shotgun, and a 44. caliber Italian handgun.

Banush said Wilhoite is thought to be the only individual involved in all 15 burglaries. He faces 14 counts of burglary and one count of attempted burglary. Banush said he was picked up at a friend’s house on Kokomo’s south side Friday.

“It was a three or four nights where they went out and did nothing but break in places,” Banush said.

• Scott Smith is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He may be reached at 765-454-8569 or via e-mail at scott.smith@kokomotribune.com

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