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Homeowner Interrupts Wednesday Morning Burglary
By: Sheila McCrea - Wednesday, September 21, 2022

(Photos from the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department)

STEUBEN COUNTY, IN - Three men have been arrested after a homeowner interrupted a burglary late Wednesday morning.

The Steuben County Sheriff's Department is investigating a daytime residential burglary that occurred in the 5600 block of East Division Road in Steuben County's rural Scott Township. Reports indicate deputies responded just after 9:15 AM to a report of a residential burglary in progress on Division Road.

The initial report indicated that the homeowner came home to find that the residence had been burglarized and located two male intruders still inside the residence.

Just prior to confronting the intruders, the homeowner armed himself with a firearm before locating the intruders hiding inside a locked bedroom. During the confrontation, the homeowner discharged the firearm twice but no one was struck or injured.

Investigators say one suspect fled the residence through a window and then fled the area in a vehicle. The other suspect reportedly remained at the scene. The suspect that fled was later located and taken into custody on County Road 100 North near County Road 250 West.

The suspect who remained at the scene was identified as 28 year old Blake William Harris of Hamilton. The suspect that fled the scene was identified as 49 year old Ricky Lee Harget of Angola.

Both Harris and Harget were transported to the Sheriff's Office to be interviewed by Sheriff's detectives. Following those interviews, the 2 suspects were booked into the Steuben County Jail.

Harris and Harget were booked on the following charges:

Ricky L. Harget - 1 count of burglary to a dwelling (a level 4 felony), 2 counts of burglary to a structure (a level 5 felony), and 1 count of unlawful use of a police radio (a class B misdemeanor)

Blake W. Harris - 1 count of burglary to a dwelling (a level 4 felony)

As the initial investigation progressed and unfolded, a third suspect involved was identified as 28 year old Troy Alexander Polk of Angola. Polk was located and taken into custody by Sheriff's detectives in the 100 block of East Felicity Street in Angola.

Following an interview with detectives, Polk was booked into the Steuben County Jail on one count of aiding in burglary to a dwelling, a level 4 felony.

Harget remains held in lieu of a $21,000.00 bond, and both Harris and Polk remain held in lieu of a $10,000.00 bond. The incident remains under investigation by the Sheriff's Office and additional charges may be sought.

A majority of the property allegedly taken during the burglary was recovered following the execution of a search warrant and returned to the victim.

Assisting the Steuben County Sheriff's Office were the Indiana State Police, Angola City Police, Steuben County EMS, and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.

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