December 2, 2005

Blooming Grove Caught on videotape, burglar pleads guilty

A couple's attempt to get to the bottom of items missing in their home ended with them catching the culprit on tape. When Melissa Reeves and her boyfriend, Karl Sager, noticed keys and small amounts of money missing during a period of couple of weeks, they decided to solve the mystery themselves.    Sager left a $20 bill on the coffee table the night before they left for work. When they returned, the money was gone.    "I was so upset and mainly angry," Reeves said. "We knew it was a neighbor. Someone who knew our habits, knew we both worked and were gone all day."    That night, the couple went to Wal-Mart and bought a small wireless surveillance camera to place in their living room. They contacted police to inform them of the situation and the camera. A few days later, they caught someone on tape who was staying with a neighbor. Police identified the intruder as Patricia Jones, 27, who confessed when confronted. This week, she pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary, a felony. She will be sentenced Jan. 24.    Reeves said the incident has made them more aware of their surroundings.    "As far as changing us, it has really made us take a good hard look at our home security," Reeves said.

Ashley Kelly

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