Caught in the act

By Kelly Foreman
Register News Writer

March 21, 2008 10:56 pm

— A Richmond couple was arrested Wednesday after a Richmond Police K-9 Officer allegedly caught them exiting a home that was not theirs.
Officer Travis Bowles was dispatched to North Second Street after a nearby resident reported someone breaking into the home, RPD Sgt. Willard Reardon said.
“ ... Bowles went to the rear of the residence where he observed Jennifer Park open the back door and jump to the ground,” an RPD press release states. “She was detained and a short time later, James Park appeared at the rear of the door of the residence and was also detained.”
The couple did not have any of the resident’s property in hand when Bowles apprehended them, Reardon said.
“He sort of caught them in the middle of it,” Reardon said. “It looks like they were trying to attempt to steal money, but they got caught before they could do anything.”
James M. Park, 34, and Jennifer J. Park, 36, both of Palm Hill Drive, were arrested and charged with second-degree burglary.
“Anytime you illegally enter a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime, and obviously they entered the residence illegally since they didn’t live there, that is burglary second,” Reardon said.
It does not appear that the Parks knew the homeowners on Second Street, Reardon said, and he was unaware of whether the home sustained any damage in the process of the alleged burglary.
Jennifer Park additionally is charged with third-degree possession of a controlled substance. After she was arrested, police found three Xanax pills inside her purse, which led to the charges.
“Burglary second-degree carries a potential penalty of five to 10 years incarceration upon conviction,” the press release states.
The Parks are lodged in the Madison County Detention Center, James Park on a $7,500 cash bond and Jennifer Park with a $2,500 cash bond.
Kelly Foreman can be reached at kforeman@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.