HANCOCK COUNTY — A Middletown man who police say stole multiple items from a home in Maxwell earlier this year is in the Hancock County Jail.
Zachary Brice Jenkins, 32, has been arrested and charged with a Level 5 felony count of burglary; a Level 6 felony count of residential entry and a Level 6 felony count of theft. The most serious charge carries a sentence of up to six years in prison.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Jenkins in January took part in a burglary at a home in the 100 block of South Center Street in Maxwell.
Someone brought a truck to the residence in late January, breaking in through the garage and taking several household appliances; furniture; a laptop; and a host of work tools, among numerous other things, the affidavit said.
Several neighbors reported Jenkins was seen at the residence, which was unoccupied at the time because the homeowner was in jail, the affidavit said. One neighbor reported seeing as many as four people, including Jenkins, removing things from the home.
When one of the neighbors approached Jenkins and asked him what he was going on, Jenkins told the neighbor he was cleaning the house for the homeowner, getting it ready to sell, the affidavit said.
In April, when the homeowner got out of the county jail, he called Jenkins. With the victim’s permission, investigators recorded the phone call. The two talked about Jenkins bringing a truck to the residence and taking things, which was consistent with information police had received from several neighbors, the affidavit said.
Police tried to contact Jenkins several times after speaking with the homeowner but were not successful. Officials filed a probable cause affidavit for his arrest in April, and a warrant was issued in May. Jenkins was arrested Tuesday, June 9, and was booked into the jail, where he remains.
Jenkins made an initial appearance Wednesday, June 10, in Hancock County Superior Court 1. Judge Marie Castetter did not allow for a bond to be set. The defendant is slated for a pretrial conference in July.
