The Grayson County Sheriff’s Office has released additional information on Sunday morning’s arrest of three Leitchfield residents caught trying to break into a Brandenburg Road home.
Sheriff Norman Chaffins said that Sunday morning at approximately 6:02, Sgt. Fred Norder responded to the 7700 block of Brandenburg Road to investigate a prowler complaint.
Upon meeting with a resident, Chaffins said Norder discovered that several males were hiding under and behind multiple vehicles in the area, with one of the men carrying a sledgehammer. Norder met with the homeowner who stated that one of the suspects damaged his front door after he tried to break it down with a sledgehammer, according to Chaffins. The resident further said he exited his residence and fired two rounds from a shotgun into the ground to frighten the intruders.
While Norder was talking to the homeowner, he noticed a vehicle parked 20 to 30 yards away, with the male driver fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. Norder chased the vehicle, finally catching up to him in Breckinridge County.
The driver, 21-year-old Michael L. Ward, of Leitchfield, told Norder that he and two other males were attempting to break-in and rob the resident on Brandenburg Road.
The other two men, 22-year-old Jesse King and 23-year-old Brandon Harper, both of Leitchfield, were located shortly thereafter.
All three men were arrested and charged with first-degree burglary and criminal trespassing. King and Harper were also charged with carrying a concealed deadly weapon. Harper was additionally charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Ward was also charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving on a DUI suspended license.
Another man, 54-year-old Johnnie King, of Leitchfield, arrived to pick up Harper and Jesse King and was arrested and charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
Chaffins said in total, three handguns and a sledge hammer were confiscated. All four suspects were lodged in the Grayson County Detention Center.
Ward, Harper, and Jesse King are being held on $10,000 cash bonds, while Johnnie King was held on a $5,000 cash bond, but has since bonded out of custody.
Norder was assisted by the Breckinridge County Sheriff’s Office, the Leitchfield Police Department and Kentucky State Police.
(Headline photo: Michael L. Ward)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
