Citizens tackle fleeing burglars

On Friday, Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter announced charges had been filed against two Plainfield men after an attempted burglary of a garage in rural Putnam County.

Jeremy Douglas McCormack, and Shawn Flanagan, both 26, and both of Plainfield, were arrested Wednesday evening by Putnam County Sheriff's Dept. Sgt. Tom Helmer. Both are currently being held at the Putnam County Jail.

On Friday, Bookwalter told the BannerGraphic both were charged with burglarly, a Class C Felony. He said both are facing a maximum of eight years in jail if convicted.

According to court documents, Helmer arrested McCormack and Flanagan after responding to a possible domestic disturbance at 462 N. CR 300 E.

After being dispatched to the possible disturbance, court documents state Helmer saw a pickup truck parked by railroad tracks north on CR 300 E off CR 50 N.

Court documents state Helmer saw several items located inside the truck, including a Culligan water softener, a bucket with assorted hand tools in it, and a bag containing a Hitachi circular saw.

Court records state that Mark Sandler and Cody Hood managed to apprehend McCormack and Flanagan prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

According to court documents, Sandler said he and Hood walked from Hood's residence to Sandler's father's home, John McNew.

On the way to McNew's home, court records state Sandler and Hood noticed the pickup truck by the railroad tracks. The two then noticed the garage door to his father's property was open.

Court documents state that as Sandler and Hood approached the garage, they noticed a blue light, which was coming from a cell phone.

According to court records, Sandler and Hood began yelling at the McCormack and Flanagan as the two ran out of the garage.

Court records state Sandler managed to knock down Flanagan and restrain him while Hood chased after McCormack, eventually catching him after hitting him in the back and in the legs with a post-hole digger he had picked up while chasing McCormack.

Court documents state McCormack and Flanagan both attempted to bribe Sandler and Hood with money and tools in order to prevent contacting police.

Court records state a search conducted of the vehicle found several items, including two automotive lock pick sets, a Culligan water softener, wire and copper tubing, two cooling radiator-type articles, a bag containing a Hitachi Cordless Drill and Hitachi Cordless Circular saw, and numerous hand tools.

Court documents also state McCormack had a prior record of mischief complaint through the Indianapolis Police Dept. and it was later determined that he was wanted on a warrant from Hendricks County for child support.