Staff Report

Donna Sue Wicker

Johnnie Franklin Howard (InkFreeNews file photo)

LIGONIER — Two people were arrested after allegedly burglarizing a business in Ligonier.

Donna Sue Wicker, 53, 216 S. Cavin St., Ligonier, is charged with burglary, a level 5 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony.

Johnnie Franklin Howard, 39, 225 W. Buckeye St., South Whitley, is charged with burglary, a level 5 felony.

On May 13, a Noble County detective took a burglary report from the owner of ALM Merchandise in Ligonier. The owner said he noticed a back door leading to the business’s laundry room had been kicked in.

According to court documents, upon entering the laundry room, the owner noticed one of the business’s security cameras had been moved. While reviewing surveillance footage, the owner discovered a man and woman, later identified as Howard and Wicker, entered the building during the late evening of May 12.

The owner also reported several power tools were stolen from the business.

The owner said he recognized Wicker as one of the individuals who entered the business, informing the detective that Wicker would have a passcode to get into the building’s laundry room.

Footage showed Howard and Wicker grabbing a door handle before it was kicked in to check and see if it was unlocked. Howard was also shown attempting to pull a coin machine off the wall.

In an interview with police, Wicker’s story changed several times and she initially stated she didn’t know anything about the burglary. When confronted with the surveillance footage, Wicker said she was pointing to a door and telling Howard that it was “off limits.” She also said she pulled on the door to see if it was locked.

While being taken to the Noble County Jail, Wicker said she had consumed pills and began to overdose. She was taken to a nearby hospital.

While being changed to a hospital gown, officers discovered currency on her person containing 0.34 grams of meth.

Wicker was booked in the Noble County Jail on May 13. Howard has a pretrial conference in Noble County on July 22.