MARION—On Thursday, September 23, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit issued a Crime Alert regarding numerous break-ins and thefts from businesses in the eastern part of Marion County. A suspect and vehicle were identified because of video footage from several of those businesses.
The Investigation revealed this same vehicle was found to have been involved in several business break-ins in Crawford County as well.
On Tuesday, around 4:30 AM, this vehicle was located by a Deputy from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at one of their local businesses. This contact led to a joint investigation involving the Crawford County, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion Police Department. A search warrant was obtained for a residence on N. Prospect Street in Marion and was executed by members of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion Police Department. Numerous items from several of the reported burglaries in Marion and Crawford County were located in the residence.
A male from this residence was interviewed and ultimately confessed to being responsible for all of Marion and Crawford County break-ins. Dalton Close, 28, was arrested and is being held pending formal charges on two counts of Breaking and Entering. Further charges are expected.
Sheriff Matt Bayles stated, “The community continues to be our eyes and ears and were instrumental in solving this string of crimes” he also thanked the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marion Police Department for their teamwork on this case and putting this thief behind bars.
If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, please contact Captain Ken Rittenour at 740-382-8244 ext. 5114.