DARKE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARREST SUSPECTED DAYTIME BURGLARS

Eldridge, Harrison, Johnson

On November 1, 2012 at about 2:35 PM, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received a call from a resident reporting a burglary in progress in the 3500 block of Hollansburg-Tampico Road near Glen Karn, which is located in the south west portion of Darke County. The resident reported that they heard a knock on their front door but did not answer the door. Moments later, the resident was confronted by an unknown female suspect who let herself into the residence through the back door. The resident advised that the female suspect stated that she was lost and needed directions to Richmond. The resident provided the female with directions and the female left without further incident and got into a tan or gray colored Dodge Intrepid, which was occupied by at least two other persons.

Darke County Deputies immediately responded to the area and observed a vehicle that matched the resident’s description and initiated a traffic stop in the 1900 block of US36 West. Deputies observed numerous items in the rear seat of the vehicle including a firearm, flat screen TV and other electronics. Deputies identified the occupants of the vehicle as Justin E. Harrison 32, Melinda S. Johnson 19 and Danielle E. Eldridge 23 all from Richmond, Indiana. Eldridge was the driver of the vehicle and consented to a search of the vehicle where two prescription bottles were located from an address on East 750 South Road in Randolph County, south east of Lynn, Indiana. Deputies requested units from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department to respond to this residence. Randolph County Deputies responded there and learned that the residence had been ransacked and burglarized.

Harrison, Johnson and Eldridge were taken into custody and transported to the Darke County Jail where they are currently being held on charges of receiving stolen property and additional charges are likely.

Anyone with information on criminal activity should contact the Darke County Sheriff’s Office immediately at (937) 548-2020 or in the event of an emergency call 911.