Wanda English Burnett, Editor

According to information from Sgt. Noel Houze of the Indiana State Police, three 16-year-olds from Osgood were arrested for burglary over the weekend.

Osgood resident Mary Thompson got a shock when she returned to her home on Wilmer Street after she had taken a walk. When she entered her home, a male juvenile confronted her with a handgun. Thompson ran from the house and a neighbor called 911.

As officers began arriving, State Trooper Jimmy Wells noticed three juveniles, two males and a female, walking in the vicinity of the Thompson home. As the trooper approached the teenagers, they turned the corner to avoid him. Wells, along with Deputy Andy Hammick of the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, immediately apprehended the trio to discover one of the boys had a handgun in his possession. They were all transported back to the scene of the incident where the victim identified the boy who had confronted her in her home. The gun he had with him had been stolen from her home.

The three juveniles were placed under arrest with the male in possession of the handgun being taken to the Dearborn County Juvenile Detention Center. The others were released to the custody of their guardians to await initial hearing in Ripley County Juvenile Court. Police say the only property taken during the burglary was the handgun.

The burglary is under investigation by S/Tpr. Ben Bastin of the Indiana State Police. He is being assisted by Troopers Jimmy Wells and Dan Elmore along with officers from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office and Osgood Police Department.

Police have been investigating other daytime burglaries in the southern part of the county and into Jefferson County, they say are not related to the incident in Osgood.
At least five daytime burglaries have taken place over the past two weeks in these areas. Police report that in one incident, the victim was at home asleep upstairs when the suspect or suspects made entry and stole a big screen television.

Sgt. Houze reported that apparently the suspects look into windows to see if they can spot anything of value and then return later to steal them. About 1:00 a.m. Friday, November 7, there was a report of two men in the East Prong Road area in Jefferson County looking through windows. They were apparently scared away by barking dogs.

Police say the suspects are possibly driving a white late model, foreign SUV or unknown color Cadillac. The driver is believed to be white, young, and female. The burglars are believed to be dropped off in the area of the home they have targeted, while the driver leaves and the suspects commit the burglary. The driver is then contacted by cell phone and returns to pick up the burglar or burglars with the stolen items. “Obviously someone that bold could be pretty dangerous to victims that they encounter,” noted ISP Detective First Sergeant Stan Tressler.

Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity in their area to the police. Tips for residents include:

• Make sure doors and windows are locked.

• Pull down shades or close curtains.

• It helps to leave a radio or television on to give appearance the house is occupied.

• When going out of town for an extended time, contact a neighbor to keep an eye on your property, stop mail and newspaper deliveries, and make sure the house is secure.

• Forming neighborhood watch programs is also encouraged.

Police say these individuals could be very dangerous and urged residents to not attempt to apprehend these suspects. Call for police help.

The Indiana State Police is working with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office to solve these crimes. Anyone with information is asked to contact either the State Police at 1-800-566-6704, 689-5000, or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 812-265-2648.