On September 8, 2011 at approximately 9:42am the sheriff’s office was notified of a burglary to a residence in the 2000 block of Holland Road.  The caller reported that a vacant house he owns in that area had been burglarized.  The victim stated that he observed a newer model maroon Dodge or Chrysler minivan parked in the driveway.  He said he observed a white male subject exit his house and then a few seconds later saw a second white male subject emerge from the house and get in the van.  Deputies were told both suspects appeared to be aged in their mid-20’s.  The victim advised that the van fled the area and he began to chase it at a high rate of speed in an attempt to get the license plate number or get the suspects to stop.  He told deputies that he caught up to the van on Holland Road south of State Route 309 and rammed the rear of the maroon minivan, which caused him to go into the ditch.  The victim managed to regain control of his vehicle but the suspect vehicle got away and a license plate number was not obtained.  The victim is not certain whether he caused damage to the rear of the suspect vehicle or not. 

It appears that the burglary was an attempt for the suspects to try to steal copper piping that was in the vacant house.  Several pipes had been cut in the residence but no pipe seemed to be missing.  Sheriff Bailey cautions that when confronted with a crime in progress to first call 9-1-1 and not to endanger yourself by attempting to apprehend the suspects.  Being a good witness is very important and staying on 9-1-1and updating deputies is the safest way to assist law enforcement in a case such as this. Sheriff Bailey is asking anyone who might have information about this incident to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (740)382-8244 or anonymously call the Marion Crime Tip Line at (740)387-TIPS.