Cromwell Man Charged With Burglary, Attempted Theft
KOSCIUSKO — A Cromwell man has been charged with burglary and attempted theft after a homeowner discovered an unknown truck in his yard and found two men inside the residence.
Colin Harker, 47, 9364 West CR 200N, is being charged with burglary, a level 4 felony, and attempted theft with a sentence enhancement, a level 6 felony.
On Dec. 5, a homeowner was returning to his residence and observed a 1997 blue Chevrolet SUV drive into his yard and behind the residence. The homeowner took a photograph of the truck and saw a pitbull inside the vehicle. The homeowner then entered the residence and observed two male subjects holding a shop vacuum with a power saw beside them.
The homeowner spoke to the men who claimed they wanted to rent the residence. The two men then fled from the residence and left the area.
An officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department arrived and discovered the men had made entry by kicking the service door to the garage. A fresh boot print was visible on the door. The officer then obtained the vehicle description and discovered that Harker frequently drove the vehicle. The homeowner was able to positively identify Harker as one of the male subjects through a photograph the officer provided.
The officer then traveled to Harker’s Cromwell residence and observed the truck. Noble County officers confirmed that Harker drives the truck and keeps a pitbull with him.
Harker was previously convicted of theft on June 24, 2015, in Kosciusko County Circuit Court.
Harker was booked into the Kosciusko County Jail on Dec. 20, with a $15,250 surety and cash bond.