A 31-year-old Centralia man has been arrested for burglary after allegedly kicking in the door of a home in the 400 block of East McCord while passers-by and police were attempting to break up a dog fight outside.
Centralia Police Administrative Sergeant Steve Whritenour says Cameron Jones of South Perrine Street was apparently walking by the home when the dog fight broke out. He told police he kicked in the door to look for his uncle who he said owned the home. But when the owner returned, he had no idea who Jones was but noticed his shoes and wallet had been stolen from the house.
After receiving the information, police noticed Jones was wearing the shoes. The wallet was later found hidden in the back seat of the squad car that had taken him to the Centralia Police Station for questioning. Jones was later transferred to the Marion County Jail.
A man walking with Jones, who did not enter the home, was also arrested on a previous misdemeanor theft charge of which he was a person of interest. 27-year-old Jacob Schleuter of North Park in Central City is accused of taking a scooter from the 100 block of North Sycamore on August 16th. Schleuter was released on a notice to appear in court.
Meanwhile, Centralia Police say the dog fight began after a woman trying to help corral a loose dog outside the Walgreen’s Store went across the street where two other dogs were outside. She fed the dogs because they appeared to be hungry which caused the three dogs to start fighting.
Police were called to assist in breaking up the dog fight and wound up solving the burglary case while there.
