Photo by Mike Wolanin | The Republic A Columbus Police Department squad vehicle with new updated vehicle wrap.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — A local man was arrested on felony charges Monday afternoon after he was observed breaking into a Columbus home on a security camera.
A short time later, the suspect was restrained by the homeowner until law enforcement officers arrived, said Lt. Matt Harris, Columbus Police Department spokesman.
At approximately 3:40 p.m., CPD officers responded to a residence in the 3500 block of Woodside Drive in regards to a report of residential entry. When officers arrived at the scene, they observed that the homeowner was holding down a man later identified as Thomas E. Hooker, 58, of Columbus.
The homeowner advised that he was a neighbor’s residence to watch the eclipse when he received a notification from his doorbell camera that someone was at his home. A short time later, Hooker could be seen on the camera forcing his way through the front door into the unoccupied residence. Hooker could be seen on video exiting the residence a short time later before he was confronted and restrained by the homeowner, Harris said.
Hooker was detained by officers upon their arrival at the home. Hooker was given a portable breath test by the officers and provided a breath sample of .265%, which is more than three times the legal limit, Harris said. The officers applied for a blood draw warrant which was later granted by a local judge. After being discharged from the hospital, Hooker was placed under arrest and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where he was remanded on the following preliminary charges:
— Residential Entry (Level 6 Felony)
— Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated- Prior Conviction (Level 6 Felony)
