Staff Report

Jimmy Ray Patrick

WARSAW — A Warsaw man was arrested for allegedly breaking into a house because he believed its occupants had his cat.

Jimmy Ray Patrick, 68, 1024 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw, is charged with burglary, a level 4 felony; residential entry, a level 6 felony; and theft, a class A misdemeanor.

On June 12, Warsaw Police officers responded to a report of Patrick breaking into a residence. Two women said they left their home for four hours. When they returned, the women noticed their indoor cat was outside and their residence’s front door was unlocked.

According to court documents, a homemade cat cage encasing two windows of the residence was also moved. The women said they believed Patrick gained access to their home from the windows after moving the case. Security camera footage showed Patrick entering their room and picking up a piggy bank containing change and bills. One of the women said the money in the piggy bank was missing.

Officers then went to speak with Patrick, who initially blamed the incident on a homeless man. After being told about the security camera footage, Patrick said he went into the home because he believed they had a cat that belonged to him.

Patrick has been arrested and released on his own recognizance. He has an initial hearing at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 25, in Kosciusko Superior Court Three.