BLANCHESTER — A man was arrested for a March 17 burglary in which a jar of change was taken from an apartment complex manager’s office, according to Blanchester police.

On Friday night, March 17, Blanchester police responded to a reported burglary of the manager’s office in the apartment complex at 901 E. Cherry St.

“Officers learned that someone had pried the door to the office open in order to get inside,” said Police Chief Scott Reinbolt. “The burglar took a jar of change from inside the office. The change jar is for donations to help needy residents in the apartment complex if there are things they need but cannot afford.”

Sgt. Gary Mowen and other officers spent the past month running down leads in the case. On April 4, a $500 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. Several tips were received, and each tip was run down by Blanchester police officers, Reinbolt said.

Clinton County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Moyer found sufficient evidence in the case to bring charges, and on Thursday, April 20, Blanchester police arrested Brandan Burkhart, 29 — who provided his address as “homeless” — for allegedly committing the crime, Reinbolt said.

Burkhart is charged with breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony.

“Burkhart has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for burglary, arson, aggravated menacing and theft,” said Reinbolt. He added, “During his arrest and booking, Burkhart subjected the arresting officers to a tirade of vile profanity critical of them, as well as the police department. Burkhart will answer the charge in the Clinton County Court of Common Pleas.

“We are grateful to the various citizens who called in tips in this case,” said Reinbolt. “The $500 reward is being paid out to one of those tipsters.”