Staff Reports
A 19-year-old local teen 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., Columbus Police Department 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. Rodgers, 19, of 959 Towhee Drive, 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.
Rodgers 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.
Rodgers’ was being held in jail in lieu of $125,000 bond, jail officials said.
