Circleville – A series of coordinated police reports have shed light on the apprehension of a burglary suspect identified as Justin Melvin on April 1st, 2024.
The incident began when officers were dispatched to Northridge Road in response to an attempted burglary. Officer Sanford arrived at the scene, gathering information from the homeowner who reported, ” The witness described observing a male wearing a gray and blue hoodie with blue jeans in the area approximately 20 minutes prior, providing valuable information for the investigation.
As Officer Sanford and Officer Harrell proceeded to assess the scene of the attempted burglary, they observed significant damage to the door frame and the door itself, consistent with an attempted break-in. A muddy footprint outside the door indicated forced entry. The victim stated, “She was sitting in the living room when she heard a loud bang at her side door. They then showed me the side door that had been forced into. The deadbolt was on the floor with the wooden door frame cracked and frayed from the force on the outside. The door had a wet and muddy boot print on the outside of it.”
Meanwhile, dispatch received reports of a similar incident on Parkview Drive, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.
As officers searched for the suspect, dispatch received additional reports of suspicious activity on North Court Street. Another victim stated that, “A male was behind a bush staring in her window.” Officer Sanford located the suspect, later identified as Justin Melvin, and initiated pursuit. With Officer Sanford maintaining visual contact, Officer Harrell swiftly joined the scene, assisting in Melvin’s apprehension.
Upon questioning, Melvin displayed signs of being under the influence of narcotics. Further investigation revealed video evidence linking Melvin to the attempted burglary, corroborating eyewitness accounts. Consequently, Melvin was placed under arrest on charges including burglary, attempted burglary, obstruction, and criminal damage.
The collaborative efforts of law enforcement officers and vigilant community members resulted in the swift arrest of a burglary suspect, underscoring the importance of community cooperation in maintaining public safety.
