BLANCHESTER — The arrest of an alleged attempted burglar helped lead police to locating and helping a cat who needed veterinary attention.
According to Blanchester Police Chief Scott Reinbolt, at around 1 p.m. Sept. 20, police were called to 207 E. Fancy St. for a reported burglary in progress. Officers arrived and found no one in the home, but saw pry marks on a back window.
Based upon information, officers went across the street to 212 E. Fancy St. where they arrested Brandan Burkhart on a charge of attempted burglary of 207 E. Fancy St., said Reinbolt.
Burkhart, 29, was taken to the Clinton County Jail, according to Reinbolt.
“He has a lengthy criminal record,” said Reinbolt,“including convictions for theft, burglary, arson, assault and aggravated menacing.”
He currently has a trespassing case pending in Clinton County Municipal Court after an arrest in September.
Additional Blanchester police officers were called into work from home, and the crime scene at 207 E. Fancy St. was processed and a search warrant was obtained for Burkhart’s residence. Officers reportedly recovered evidence implicating Burkhart in the alleged attempted burglary inside the home, as well as evidence of the use of illegal narcotics, stated Reinbolt.
“Also inside the house, which is a trailer with approximately 500 square feet of living space, officers found 10 to 15 cats,” said Reinbolt.
One cat, a male, appeared to be suffering a broken leg and was taken from the home by officers. No animal rescue organization could be found to take the cat in Clinton County, said the police chief, but Ptl. Kristen Jeffers was able to find a shelter in Xenia willing to take the cat, Advocates 4 Animals. Advocates 4 Animals asked that the cat be taken to the Pony Express Animal Hospital in Xenia, where he could receive veterinary attention. Ptl. Jeffers transported the cat to Xenia after work and on her own time.
According to Reinbolt, the cat, who officers named “Albert”, was found to be suffering two broken legs and requires surgery.
“Anyone interested in helping Advocates 4 Animals meet the expenses of Albert’s veterinary care can make a donation by mail to Advocates 4 Animals, P.O. Box 13, Xenia, OH 45385,” said Reinbolt.
Burkhart’s mother, Charlotte Bright, 63, who resides with Burkhart, was charged with maintaining an habitual resort for thieves, burglars and felons, a misdemeanor offense. Bright was also charged with cruelty to companion animals for allegedly failing to seek veterinary attention for Albert’s broken legs, a misdemeanor offense.
“In the past 12 months, police have responded to Bright’s residence 25 times, including three calls for drug overdoses and three instances in which fugitives were found on the property or were apprehended after fleeing from the property,” said Reinbolt.
Bright will answer the charges in Clinton County Municipal Court.
