Police: Radcliff teen charged with breaking into police officer's garage

A Vine Grove police officer headed home only to find a burglary in progress at his own residence.

JOHNSON

A Radcliff teenager was arrested Monday morning after police said he was discovered burglarizing the garage of Vine Grove Police Lt. James Karr.

Richard T. Johnson, 18, is charged with third-degree burglary, second-degree fleeing or evading police, alcohol intoxication in public and theft by unlawful taking from an automobile.

Vine Grove Chief Kenny Mattingly said as Karr was returning home Monday, he saw a man in his garage.

The suspect entered the garage by breaking a rear window, according to a citation. Mattingly said police believe Johnson was attempting to take a bicycle from Karr’s garage.

Upon Karr’s arrival, the man ran away and the officer pursued, Mattingly said. Vine Grove contacted Radcliff police and state police for assistance in finding him.

According to citations, police set up a perimeter and a Radcliff officer ultimately located the suspect who allegedly was attempting to break into a maroon truck in the 200 block of Lincoln Street.

Police said Johnson smelled of alcohol and had “watery, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and poor coordination and difficulty following orders/directions.”

According to the citation, the teenager told police he broke into the garage upon his arrest.

“(Johnson) yelled, ‘I broke into the garage. You got me. Now take me to jail,’” the document reads.

The arrest was made 15-20 minutes after Karr found Johnson in his garage, Mattingly said.

It is possible Johnson also may be involved in an attempt to steal a lawn mower, Mattingly said, which occurred around the same time as the other incidents.

“We’re still trying to put the timeline together,” he said.

Johnson is lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of a partially secured $5,000 bond.

He was arraigned Wednesday via video feed in Hardin District Court and is scheduled to appear Jan. 14 for a preliminary hearing.

According to Kentucky Revised Statutes, third-degree burglary is a Class D felony, which is punishable by one to five years in prison if found guilty.

Sarah Bennett can be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@

thenewsenterprise.com. 

Sarah Bennett can be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@thenewsenterprise.com.