CPD: Serial Burglars Run From Local Crimes

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Columbus police arrested two men it said are “serial burglars” Wednesday morning.

NBC 4’s Tom Brockman reported with the FAST FACTS.

Police searched the area of U.S. Route 23 and surrounding neighborhoods for the two suspects, who were later identified as Anthony Crump and Andre Brown, for several hours.

It started when a SWAT officer reported a burglary in progress at the Starbucks near Campus View Boulevard at about 4:34 a.m. Wednesday. 

It was a stroke of luck, according to CPD Lieutenant Michael Woods. The officer was driving by and noticed an open door at the coffee shop.

Within minutes, patrol officers surrounded the store, but Crump and Brown eluded officers, CPD said.

CPD said it believes both men were responsible for the Starbucks burglary.

When the suspects fled the Starbucks scene, Crump got into his nearby vehicle and was found driving around the Tee Jayes Country Place at 4910 High St. Wednesday close to 7:30 a.m., according to Woods.

CPD found him thanks to a tip that Crump might have been in his own car.

Crump tried to evade police and crashed into the Tee Jayes building, according to Woods.

“They at some point noticed the police behind them, tried to flee and, unfortunately, hit the building. But fortunately for us that stopped their movement,“ Woods said.

Crump was arrested outside of the Tee Jayes after trying to escape and even pulled a knife on an officer, according to CPD.

Brown fled the Starbucks scene on foot and was apprehended at his home in the 700 block of Hayden Park Drive before 9 a.m., Woods said.

Woods said Brown also tried to evade officers at the address but was caught.

CPD said it believes Brown and Crump are serial burglars that several area police departments have wanted to apprehend for a while.

“These two individuals, we believe, are serial burglars. They’ve been hitting commercial and business establishments across the city and even around the county,“ Woods said.

Officials said it remained unclear how many burglaries the suspects might have been responsible for.

A vehicle was taken as evidence.

NBC 4 first reported the suspects were females at 6 a.m. Wednesday. Further information confirmed the suspects were males.

For additional information on this developing story, stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com—Where Accuracy Matters.
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