(DEKALB CO.) – The Indiana State Police and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department responded to a string of home invasions and vehicle thefts that took place Monday night in rural DeKalb County.
As a result of the combined efforts between these agencies, officers arrested 36-year-old Nicholas J. Larkin, of Defiance, Ohio. He is being held in the DeKalb County jail on felony charges of burglary and auto theft.
At approximately 6:45 p.m. Monday, last evening, DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputies were alerted to a home invasion at a residence in the 4000 block of Wilderness Court in Waterloo. U
When they arrived the homeowners reported they had been held at knifepoint by an unknown white male later identified as Nicholas Larkin, prior to the suspect stealing their Dodge Durango passenger vehicle and fleeing the scene.
The Sheriff’s deputies also discovered an abandoned GMC Acadia passenger car at the residence, which had been reported as stolen during an armed robbery incident in Williams County, Ohio. The DeKalb County Sheriff dispatch relayed this information to the Indiana State Police post and requested ISP detectives to assist in this investigation.
At approximately 7:45 p.m., while officers were on scene at the Wilderness Court address, a report came in regarding a second home invasion in the 7500 block of County Road 56. Troopers arrived on scene finding the male driver of the Durango had attempted to break-in to this residence. He fled after being confronted by the homeowner.
Troopers located the Durango, crashed and abandoned, just a short distance from the residence.
Shortly after 8 p.m., a homeowner in the 5700 block of County Road 75 reported that their Nissan Altima had just been stolen. Troopers patrolling the area were able to locate the stolen Nissan Altima driving behind a residence in the 6600 block of County Road 75. Troopers attempted to stop the Nissan, and the driver fled leading police on a pursuit.
Troopers were led through a series of yards, farm fields, and railroad tracks prior to the Nissan Altima becoming disabled and stuck.
The driver, Larkin, then fled on foot and was apprehended a short time later by troopers in a farm field near County Road 75 and County Road 60.
Police say Larkin was injured in the crash and was transported by ambulance to Parkview Regional Medical Center. He was treated and released with only minor injuries. Larkin then arrested and transported to the DeKalb County Jail.
Police say this is an active and ongoing investigation. Once all investigative efforts are complete, the DeKalb County Prosecutor will review and determination of any and all additional charges to be filed.
Indiana State Police were assisted in this investigation by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, the Butler Police Department, Parkview DeKalb EMS, Riverside Towing, and Brent’s Towing.
