A 35-year-old Linton man will be in Greene Circuit Court on Feb. 6 following a Jan. 24 arrest for entering a residence without permission and taking a dog.

Thomas Adam Jerrels, a former officer with the Linton Police Department, was arrested by LPD Officer JR Blazier on charges of felony burglary and misdemeanor theft. 

Blazier responded to a call from Jerrels’ ex-wife stating that he had entered her residence and taken her dog. She told the officer that Jerrels sent several text messages including a photo of himself with the dog. In one of the messages, according to the probable cause affidavit, Jerrels claimed he wanted his dog back prior to taking the dog. The female reporting party was asked if she was awarded possession of the dog during their divorce as Jerrels claimed it was his dog. She said she wasn’t; however, in November of last year, he made a social media post stating he wanted to get rid of the dog. It was at that time she took possession of the dog. She told Blazier that Jerrels allegedly abused the dog when it was in his possession, further stating she had photos of when he threw the dog into a wall at his residence. 

She told Blazier Jerrels was able to enter the residence through an unlocked door, one she said he allegedly broke in November. Since then, she said, the door has not locked. While at the residence, Blazier took photos of the broken door jam. 

While Officer Blazier was at the residence, Officer Davis Aerne and Detective Logan Hobbs of the Linton Police Department went to Jerrels’ residence to speak with him. When Aerne and Hobbs arrived, they located Jerrels in the yard with the missing dog. 

When asked what had happened during the day Jerrels’, according to the probable cause affidavit, said nothing had occurred. He claimed the dog was his and admitted going to the residence to retrieve the animal. When Jerrels was told he did not have permission to take the dog, according to the probable cause affidavit, he said the dog was his and his ex-wife was watching it for a few weeks for him. When officers told Jerrels his ex-wife reported he did not want to care for the animal any longer and gave it to her, he said that was untrue. Jerrels claimed he informed her he was going to get the dog, then make dinner. He alleged she became belligerent, so he went to the house and took the dog. 

Blazier photographed the area of the home in which Jerrels’ allegedly took the dog. The area, located on the south side of the home’s basement, included the dog’s kennel, dog bed, and other items. According to the probable cause affidavit, Blazier also photographed the route Jerrels allegedly took through the home to remove the dog.

Jerrels was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $11,000 surety with 10 percent allowed. He was released later the same day after posting $1,100. 

He is being charged with burglary, a Level 4 Felony, and theft, a Class A Misdemeanor. He is scheduled to appear in Greene Circuit Court for an initial hearing on Feb. 6.