Teen accused of burglary of local home

Blaine A. Rodgers

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A 19-year-old Columbus man was arrested on several charges, including felony burglary, after an out of town homeowner observed the suspect was inside his garage after receiving a notification from his home security system early Sunday morning.

At approximately 2:15 a.m., CPD officers were sent to a residence in the 4600 block of West Ridge Drive in regards to a burglary in progress, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.

The homeowner advised emergency dispatchers that he was out of town for a wedding, however, he observed the suspect inside his garage via a home security video on his smart phone.

Officers located the suspect, Blaine A. Rogers, 19, of Columbus, hiding near the garage where he was taken into custody, Harris said. While searching Rogers, the officers located a loaded 9mm handgun with the serial numbers scratched off in his pants pocket, Harris said.

Rogers was placed under arrest and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail on preliminary charges of felony burglary, felony possession of a handgun with an obliterated serial number, misdemeanor possession of a firearm without a permit, misdemeanor  trespass and misdemeanor criminal mischief.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.