By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Gregory K. Short

COLUMBIA CITY — A Columbia City man was recently arrested for allegedly committing multiple burglaries.

Gregory K. Short, 20, 305 N. Main St., Columbia City, is charged with three counts of burglary, all level 4 felonies; burglary and four counts of attempted burglary, all level 5 felonies; two counts of theft, both class A misdemeanors; and criminal mischief, a class B misdemeanor.

On June 27, Columbia City Police officers responded to a break-in at a residence. According to court documents, one of the residence’s doors had apparent damage from a pry bar, which was left at the scene.

With the assistance of Indiana State Police, officers collected additional physical evidence from the scene.

On July 9, officers went to The Shops at The Sanctuary and found tool marks on one of the business’s doors. Surveillance footage from the business showed a man, identified as Short, with a tool, which was collected as physical evidence from a nearby backyard. In the footage, Short appeared to be messing with a door at Vintage Blessed, a local business.

Officers also went to Weatherly Monuments, where similar marks were found on the business’s door. A purse containing identifying information, a credit card, and cash was stolen from the business.

Representatives for Smith and Sons Funeral Home also reported attempted burglary.

On July 10, officers went to the Whitley County Historical Museum, where there had been two reported burglaries on July 1 and July 9. A museum employee said the suspects attempted entry at several doors, but didn’t believe they entered the structure.

That same day, officers were called to a building next door to the museum. The building’s occupants had also reported attempted burglary on July 1. Physical evidence was also collected from that area.

Officers then interviewed Short about the incidents. In the interview, Short admitted to committing the burglaries and stealing a purse, which he gave to officers.

On July 17, an officer went to Zion Lutheran Church to investigate a possible theft and building damage. A church representative said she noticed the vestibule’s mailbox had been pulled from a wall and she was worried mail was stolen. Surveillance footage from the church showed a person in the vestibule leaving with mail in their hand on July 16. Officers identified the person as Short, who admitted to stealing mail from the church.

Short was booked in the Whitley County Jail on July 17.