From Staff Reports
Two Kokomo men have been charged for burglaries at businesses in Cass and Carroll counties.
Michael P. Hozey, 30, and Randall S. Spry, 21, were arrested on Aug. 28 after Grant County Sheriff’s officers and Swayzee Marshal Rob Shafer apprehended the two for taking merchandise from a Swayzee business, according to a news release from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department.
The next day, Shafer recognized Spry in a photo taken from a surveillance video that appeared with a story in a local newspaper about burglaries in Flora, Burlington and Young America.
Shafer contacted Carroll County Detectives Steve Mullin and Kevin Hammond with the information, which prompted Carroll County Prosecutor Tricia Thompson to file charges against the two men.
The charges stem from burglaries that occurred on Aug. 28.
In those cases, information gathered from the surveillance footage indicated the suspects reportedly threw a rock or concrete block through the windows of the businesses to gain entry. The businesses targeted were the Spirit of Flora convenience store in Flora, and the Burlington Maramart convenience store and Mr. J’s Pizza and More in Young America.
Investigators with the Flora Police Department, Burlington Town Marshal’s office, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and Cass County Sheriff’s Department were still looking into those burglaries and were able to use Shafer’s information to charge both Hozey and Spry with two counts of burglary, a class C felony. Warrants have been issued for their arrests, but both men are currently in jail in connection with crimes committed in other counties.
The initial bonds for Hozey and Spry have been set at $20,000 surety and $500 cash. At the time of the news release, Spry was being held in the Howard County Jail, awaiting transfer to the Carroll County Jail. Hozey remained in the Grant County Jail pending charges there.
Both men have also been charged in connection with the Nov. 15, 2007 burglary and fire at First Baptist Church in Kokomo.
The investigation into these burglaries is ongoing and authorities in both Cass and Carroll counties would like to hear from anyone with information about these incidents.
Have a tip?
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office can be reached at (765) 564-2413. The Cass County Sheriff’s Department can be reached at (574) 753-7800. Information can also be reported anonymously to Cass County Crime Stoppers at (574) 722-STOP. Tips leading to an arrest or conviction could lead to a reward of up to $1,000.
