Two Putnam teens among four arrested in Brazil home invasion

BRAZIL -- Four suspects involved in a Clay County home invasion early Friday morning were apparently at the wrong place and got more than they bargained for, according to authorities.

Two Putnam County teenagers and two Marion County teenagers were booked into the Clay County Justice Center (CCJC) early Friday morning. The suspects are Weston Havey, 18, of Reelsville, Sierra M. Dewees, 18, of Fillmore, and Preston R. Hassler, 19, and Blake Braun, 18, both from Indianapolis.

The unidentified Brazil homeowner contacted Clay County 911 Dispatch around 1:30 a.m. to report three unknown people “kicked in” the door to their rural home while a fourth person waited in the car.

The homeowner said the suspects were armed with at least one firearm, and gunfire was exchanged before the three suspects fled the area, with one possibly injured.

“Apparently the suspects had planned to rob a home they believed to be a drug house, but showed up at the wrong place,” Clay County Chief Deputy Josh Clarke said. “When they forced their way into the residence, the homeowner greeted them with a firearm.”

Clarke said the homeowner was able to maintain his composure throughout the situation, and while filing the report, “He really helped us help him by providing excellent details about what happened.”

Authorities located two suspects at St. Vincent Clay Hospital, where Braun was being treated for a gunshot wound. Havey was taken to the CCJC for booking, while Braun was taken to Terre Haute Regional for further treatment of what was described as a “through-and-through” gunshot injury. Upon his release, Braun was also booked into the jail.

A Brazil Police Department patrolman was able to stop a vehicle matching the homeowner’s description a short time later. The officer located the other two suspects -- Dewees and Hassler -- who were transported to CCJC for booking.

The three males who entered the home are preliminarily charged with Level 1 felony attempted murder and Level 2 felony burglary with a deadly weapon. They are currently incarcerated without bond awaiting formal court proceedings.

The female, who stayed in the car, is preliminarily charged with Level 4 felony burglary with a deadly weapon. She remains in custody on a $50,000 cash bond with no 10 percent allowed.

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office will be provided with a case report within 48 hours to consider further potential formal charges.

The recent closing of the Clay County Courthouse will not slow down the judicial process in this case, or any other, confirmed Prosecutor Emily Clarke Friday afternoon.

“Everything will be the same,” said the prosecutor, who explained hearings have been able to continue through the use of the video conferencing available at the CCJC and the use of conferencing by telephone. “There are guidelines in place for this situation, and we will follow those guidelines.”