Man arrested after allegedly stealing handgun, peach brandy

Jay Franklin Hardy, 63, was arrested Thursday after allegedly breaking into a van and stealing a bottle of peach brandy and a Jennings  nine millimeter handgun. 

The victim of the thefts reportedly parked his van in front of his South Walnut Street apartment, said Sgt. Jeff Canada of the Bloomington Police Department. The van was left unlocked. 

At approximately 3 p.m. Thursday, the victim returned to the van and noticed his handgun and alcohol were missing, Canada said. After Williams reported the theft to law enforcement, BPD officer John Morphew viewed video surveillance of the parking lot. 

Images of the van were not captured, and Hardy was not seen breaking into the van. He was, however, seen walking in the direction of the van during the two-hour time frame without anything in his hands. Moments later, Hardy was captured on the video again, walking through the parking lot carrying
several items.

While viewing the video, Morphew immediately identified Hardy because he had recently dealt with Hardy in another incident,
Canada said. 

Later that day, while walking near Chase Bank, Hardy was approached by law enforcement. Police found a bottle of peach brandy and Williams’ handgun inside
his backpack. 

Once arrested, Hardy became belligerent at the Monroe County Jail, Canada said. He reportedly said he stole the handgun so he could kill police officers.
For these remarks, he is also being charged with
intimidation. 

In all, Hardy faces preliminary charges of theft, intimidation, carrying a firearm without a license and unauthorized entry
of a motor vehicle.

— Mark Keierleber