A 17-year-old male, whose name is not being released at this time, is behind bars after being arrested in connection with the burglaries.
At approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday, Linton Police Department Chief Troy Jerrell said the department got a break in a case involving more than 10 burglaries to businesses in the community -- including the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce, the Grill, Dental Studios, Wellness First Chiropractic and Dr. Francis Tapia's office and Head Start.
"A good, watchful neighbor happened to see a young male climb through a basement window (onat 60 SE 4th St.," Jerrell said, noting the resident call Indiana State Police Trooper John Yung, who then called the LPD.
Jerrell said LPD officers Keith McDonald and Chad Crynes as well as Yung went to the residence to speak with the neighbor.
"Shortly after their arrival, they talked to the neighbor who gave an excellent description of the subject," Jerrell said.
The subject had fled by foot once the police arrived at the scene; however, officers located him, walking, just a few blocks away. The officers began talking to the subject and later interviewed him at the Linton Police Department.
"While talking to him, it was apparent that he was possibly involved in several break-ins and burglaries that have occurred here in the past couple of months," Jerrell said. "We believe we have evidence leading to this person in almost all the break-ins that have taken place in the last few months."
Jerrell commended those who worked in the case.
"The guys worked really well together as a team in working with the other surrounding agencies and officers," Jerrell said. "Information gathered at these burglaries and reports that were taken were detailed enough and had good information that lets us connect these burglaries."
Once the department was on the subject's trail last night, Jerrell said, some off duty officers came on duty to assist with gathering reports and information while interviews were being conducted.
"It was really good teamwork for the police department," Jerrell said.
Working on the case, besides McDonald, Crynes and Yung, were LPD Patrolmen Paul Clark and Josh Goodman, Greene County Sheriff's Department Deputy Aaron Smith and Indiana State Police Troopers Eric Nash and Eric Russell.
Jerrell said this arrest is a prime example of how the public can assist the police department.
Not only did the neighbor contact the police, Jerrell said, but the neighbor paid enough attention to the subject and was able to get a good enough description that once the police spotted the subject, they knew it was him.
"It goes to show that the public can help the police and that all of us working together can get these things done," Jerrell said.
Anyone with additional information involving this case can contact the Linton Police Department at 847-4411.