A Columbus man could receive up to a dozen years in prison after admitting in court he burglarized a home on the city’s north side.
Brandon L. Richardson, 19, of 641 Della Road, was originally charged with two counts of burglary, one as a Level 3 felony and the other a Level 4 felony.
While appearing before Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Stephen Heimann on Monday, Richardson pleaded guilty to the Level 4 felony, which is punishable by two to 12 years in prison, as well as fines of up to $10,000.
Sentencing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 27.
In the early evening of May 13, a Mead Village resident returned home to find a gold-colored Honda Accord occupied by two males in his driveway, according to a probable-cause affidavit compiled by the Columbus Police Department.
After dismissing the two men’s explanation regarding why they were there, the homeowner ordered them to leave before he entered his house through the kitchen, the affidavit said.
Seconds after hearing the horn on the Honda, the homeowner was confronted by a male believed to be Richardson, who rushed and grabbed the victim, the affidavit stated.
But the homeowner, who has long been involved in physical training, had the upper hand against the 160-pound burglary suspect.
During the fight, the homeowner struck the intruder in the face, tossed him around the kitchen, pushed him into a breezeway, and eventually threw him outside the residence, police said.
Although he did sustain a minor injury, the homeowner managed to grab a firearm and chase the burglar on foot as the two men in the gold Honda drove off, the affidavit stated.
After alerting an emergency dispatcher on his cellphone, the homeowner saw the intruder throw away several of his possessions before the victim gave up the chase as police began arriving in the area, the detective wrote.
The Honda was spotted on Rocky Ford Road by Columbus police.
During questioning of the two men, an officer was able to develop information that Richardson was the burglar, the affidavit stated.
Meanwhile, various witnesses who saw the suspect running near Columbus North High School eventually led police to a restaurant at 25th Street and Home Avenue, where Richardson was arrested, the affidavit stated.
Although Richardson initially denied involvement during questioning, he later admitted his involvement in the burglary, the affidavit stated.
