Police chased down and arrested three men for breaking into cars 2 a.m. Wednesday on East 19th Street.
Bloomington resident Jordan Breedlove, 18, faces charges of theft, resisting law enforcement, unauthorized entry into a vehicle and possession of marijuana. Servonte Gilkie, 18, was arrested on charges of theft, resisting law enforcement, unauthorized entry into a vehicle and possession or consumption of alcohol as a minor.
Breedlove and Gilkie are both being held at the Monroe County Jail, Breedlove in lieu of $2,500 bail and Gilkie in lieu of $1,500.
A 16-year-old in the group also faces charges of resisting law enforcement and was released with a juvenile referral, Bloomington Police Department Capt. Steve Kellams said.
BPD responded to a 2 a.m. phone call in reference to three men who were looking into cars on the 200 block of East 19th Street and possibly breaking into them.
When the first officer arrived, the men began running away. The Indiana University Police Department provided reinforcement, helping BPD officers set up a perimeter to apprehend the men. It took about a half hour to chase them down, Kellams said.
The men admitted to breaking into three cars, Kellams said. They stole mostly change from the cars, as well as a jacket.
Kellams said police knew of the men from previous incidents and thefts. Breedlove is already facing misdemeanor charges of theft and unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle in a separate pending case from December, according to court documents.
Thefts from vehicles are a constant concern for BPD, Kellams said, and a great deal of these thefts could be prevented if people locked their doors.
In 2015, more than 45 percent of thefts from vehicles took place in cars that were either open or unlocked, Kellams said. Additionally, about 29 percent of reported burglaries occurred in unlocked homes.
“Especially with spring break coming up, people need to remember to lock up their houses and cars,” Kellams said.
Despite the higher temperatures, Kellams discourages residents from keeping their windows open for extended periods of time.
“It becomes an open invitation for thieves,” iKellams said.
Samantha Schmidt
