Sheriff Charles Reader reports that his office handled multiple burglary complaints at a residence on State Route 124 belonging to Ova Lemaster.
Between September 8th and September 15th, 2015 the suspect entered the residence on two separate occasions, once while Mr. Lemaster was asleep in a back bedroom, and took cash, cigarettes, a laptop computer, personal check and a weed eater.
Sheriff Reader had been patrolling the county and received information from a concerned citizen about the incidents. Sheriff Reader forwarded the information received to detectives on September 15th, 2015. Detectives from Sheriff Reader’s Office then conducted a follow-up investigation with the victim. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that a next door neighbor had possible committed the burglaries. Detectives attempted to make contact with the neighbor, Jennifer Swain-Collins, but was unable to locate anyone at the residence.
On September 16th, 2015 after seeing a Facebook post by the victim’s family, a family member of Collins came forward and advised that they bought a weed eater from Collins that may possible be the one stolen from Mr. Lemaster.
Detectives met with the family member and found that Collins had also attempted to sell them a laptop as well. The weed eater was voluntarily forfeited back to the detectives and returned to the victim. Sheriff Reader reports that Collins was taken into custody late Wednesday evening after a neighbor called to report that she had shown back up at her residence on State Route 124.
Sheriff Reader reminds the citizens that any information that they have could prove to be most valuable in bringing a case to a close and aiding law enforcement in getting the victim of the crime their property, or money back, and building a strong case that will insure prosecution.
