Man arrested after series of break-ins

After a series of vehicle break-ins in the last week, IU police officers identified and arrested a Bloomington man responsible for burglarizing the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and stealing items from multiple cars on campus.

At 12:45 a.m. Monday, Officer Morgan Berns was working extra security detail at the HPER after the building’s keys were reported stolen. Interim Chief of Police Jerry Minger said Berns noticed a man, later identified as 36-year-old Jere Brant Crouch, trying to enter the west side of the building with various keys.

Minger said Berns entered the HPER after Crouch but could not locate him inside. The officer waited outside the building until Crouch left and went to get into his car.

Crouch was arrested for theft, a Class D Felony and additional charges are being evaluated. Crouch admitted to burglarizing a HPER office and safe. He also admitted to breaking into five vehicles on campus, shooting out the windows with a pellet gun and taking anything of value.

In the last week, Minger said IUPD has had 15 reports of broken vehicle windows, and nine of those involved theft.

Four of the break-ins are still under investigation; however, Minger said it is possible Crouch could be involved.

According to the IUPD media log, thefts from vehicles occurred in an Indiana Memorial Union pay lot, the parking lot north of the Art Museum and the Atwater Parking Garage.

A possible theft was reported at the Student Recreational Sports Center. Vehicle windows were broken out in the Atwater garage, Henderson lot and Read Center west parking lot.

Minger said Crouch had checks, gift cards, envelopes, wallets and IU building keys in his possession.

After getting a warrant to search Crouch’s car, officers found a GPS system, cell phones, iPods, backpacks, clothing, tools and cash. Minger estimated Crouch had more than $4,000 worth of stolen goods.

“We’re going through a mountain of property to try and obtain owner information,” Minger said.

Crouch told officers he targeted vehicles with visible, valuable property.

“We’re always trying to educate people,” Minger said. “Don’t leave your keys nearby. Don’t leave your car unlocked.”

While mobile patrols of the parking lots and garages increased when reports of break-ins began, Minger said it is tough to patrol the garages from the street.

“We can’t be everywhere at once,” Minger said. “Parking garages obstruct your view from outside. They present a unique problem.”

Minger credited Berns for his “diligence” in observing Crouch’s suspicious activity.
“This is such great police work,” Minger said. “You have to rely on the sense of the officer, and he really followed up to find out more.”

Minger said the case is still under investigation.

Anyone who might have information concerning this stolen property, the vehicle break-ins or the arrested subject should contact Detective Lieutenant Steve Fiscus at the IU Police Department at 812-855-4111.