Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Sheriff Bill Davison sites the quick response of a neighbor and good police work as two things that worked against a burglar last week.

“The quick response of the neighbor and the cooperation of the law enforcement agencies involved was vital in the apprehension of the suspect,” stated Davison. He was referring to an incident that occurred last Thursday, June 8 around 11:28 a.m. when Ripley County Communications received a 911 call of a burglary in progress at a residence south of Versailles.

The caller, who was a neighbor, said he saw a strange van parked in the victim’s driveway and went to investigate. He surprised the suspect, who was in the process of a burglary. The neighbor quickly called 911 while the suspect got into his van and drove off according to David Pippin, chief deputy of the Ripley County Sheriff’s Department.

The cooperation of officers from the sheriff’s department, Indiana State Police and the Versailles Police Department, resulted in the quick apprehension of Robert M. McGath Jr., 39, of Springfield, OH. Officers learned McGath has a criminal history. He is being held at the Ripley County Jail on initial charges of burglary.

Sheriff Davison notes the quick response time of the law enforcement agencies and the detailed description provided by the witness, were vital components in the capture of the suspect.