COLUMBUS, Ind. — Two men have been arrested in connection with a residential burglary investigation involving a stolen firearm and electronics.
On March 26, Columbus Police Department officers responded to a burglary at a home in the 2200 block of Ohio Avenue. The homeowner reported that someone had broken into his residence while he was away and stolen a shotgun and various electronics. Surveillance footage showed the suspect wearing pink joggers, a pink hooded sweatshirt, and a black coat.
Later that day, police responded to a trespassing call at a property on the 300 block of Cleveland Street. Officers located 20-year-old Dustin Harden of Hope, who was wearing the same attire as seen in the surveillance video. Upon his arrest, officers discovered marijuana and a smoking pipe near him. Harden attempted to flee but was apprehended nearby. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation before being transported to the Bartholomew County Jail.
Through further investigation, police recovered all the stolen items from the burglary. Additionally, evidence linked 60-year-old Phillip Brantley of Columbus to possession of the stolen shotgun.
Harden faces preliminary charges of:
Burglary (Level 5 felony)
Resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor)
Possession of marijuana (Class B misdemeanor)
Possession of paraphernalia (Class C misdemeanor)
Brantley is charged with:
Possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon (Level 4 felony)
Obstruction of justice (Level 6 felony)
Both men are currently incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail.
