SWAT Raids, Makes Arrest After Rash Of Burglaries

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Westerville authorities said they believe they know who was behind a rash of burglaries that happened late Memorial Day.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

A suspect was arrested after SWAT teams were called out to an apartment on the city’s North Side Thursday morning. More arrested could happen, authorities said.

Several doctors’ offices on Copeland Mill Road in Westerville were burglarized late Monday, Westerville police said.

Armed with a search warrant, both Westerville and Columbus SWAT officers raided an apartment on the 1100 block of Sidney Street Thursday morning.

Believing the suspects were dangerous, officers shot tear gas into the residence.

Officers found 33-year-old Jason Bowman in the attic shortly after and arrested him. 

“He did not immediately make himself known. He had to be found, but he came out without a struggle,” Westerville Police Lieutenant John Petrozzi said.

Investigators also found two safes similar to the stolen ones. Both of the safes’ doors were found in the trash outside.

How did police crack the case? It started with a traffic stop. 

“Early [Thursday] morning, CPD made a traffic stop on some gentlemen. They had in their possession some items that didn’t belong to them. There was no confirmation at that point for CPD these were stolen,” Petrozzi said.

The allegedly stolen items included a computer and a Palm Pilot.

Once Westerville police got word of the stop, investigators confirmed the items were similar to ones that were stolen.

The computer and Palm Pilot still were in the vehicle when police arrived at the home Thursday.

Officials said at least one more suspect remained on the loose.

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