CIRCLEVILLE, OH — A suspicious spike in an electric bill led to a startling discovery on Town Street Wednesday afternoon, resulting in the arrest of a father and son who had allegedly taken up residence in a neighbor’s garage.
Charles Harvey and his son, Preston Harvey, were taken into custody on April 22, 2026, after the property owner discovered them hiding in the attic of her detached garage.
The Discovery and Foot Pursuit
The incident began around 5:24 PM when the homeowner entered her garage and heard strange noises coming from above. After she shouted that she was calling the police, two men fled the building and headed into a nearby alley.
Sgt. Matthew Harrell arrived on the scene quickly, where bystanders pointed out the suspects. After a brief foot pursuit and a search of the neighborhood, officers detained both Harveys. According to police reports, Charles Harvey initially denied he was with anyone else, but changed his story when a witness escorted his son, Preston, to the officers’ location.
A “Hidden” Home
Upon investigating the garage attic, Sgt. Harrell discovered a fully functioning living space. Officers found:
- Blankets hung from strings to create makeshift walls.
- Bedding and miscellaneous personal items scattered across the floor.
- A television that was powered on, plugged into an outlet drawing electricity from the main residence.
The homeowner told police she had recently noticed her power bill was “higher than normal,” a mystery solved by the discovery of the unauthorized tenants and their electronics.
“We Thought it Was Abandoned”
Under questioning, the Harveys reportedly admitted to living in the attic for “a couple of weeks.” They claimed they believed the garage was abandoned. In a unique moment of clarification, the suspects told officers that when they ran, they weren’t trying to “flee the cops,” but were simply trying to “run away from the scene.”
Charges Filed
Because the duo broke into a structure and were allegedly stealing utilities from the homeowner, they have both been charged with:
- Breaking and Entering (ORC 2911.13)
- Criminal Trespass (ORC 2911.21)
Officers Verduga and Hollaway transported both men to the Pickaway County Jail, where they were booked without incident. The scene was documented via body camera and photos of the makeshift living quarters were submitted as evidence.
