Published: June 11, 2009 09:34 pm      

Accused attic burglar sees case go to grand jury

Burglary and receiving stolen property charges against a man accused of breaking into his neighbor’s apartment through a shared attic will go before a Madison County grand jury following a preliminary hearing Wednesday in Madison District Court.

Christopher A. Agee, 22, is charged with second-degree burglary and receiving stolen property, more than $300, after Richmond police say he broke into a neighboring apartment in the 200 block of Keystone Drive on May 18 by climbing through the attic.

The residents of the apartment reported two laptop computers, three pieces of jewelry and a bottle of Lortab pills were missing.

Richmond police officer Daniel Ellis testified Wednesday that one of the laptop computers was recovered at Agee’s mother’s home after Agee’s ex-wife notified her about the theft.

Agee told police his ex-wife was responsible for the theft, but an investigation of Agee’s apartment uncovered evidence that the attic had been accessed as well as a hole large enough for a man to walk through in the wall dividing the attic space above the apartments, Ellis said.

Senior Judge David Hayse found probable cause following the hearing to send the case to a Madison County grand jury for possible indictment.



Lowell Avenue assault

Assault charges against two women accused of holding a woman hostage, attacking her and stealing cash from her in a Lowell Avenue home were reduced following a preliminary hearing.

Rachell L. Richardson, 22, of Irvine, and Theresa A. Jones, 30, of Ravenna, are now charged with fourth-degree assault, first-degree robbery and first-degree unlawful imprisonment in the May 2 incident.

According to Richmond police officer Eric Short, Richardson, Jones and a third woman allegedly held the victim hostage for almost two hours in a mobile home in the 100 block of Lowell Avenue, beating her and allegedly taking approximately $90 from her purse.

Police were called to the scene after the victim escaped and went to a neighbor’s house, Short testified.

The victim was able to identify Jones and Richardson through photo lineups after the incident, and sustained multiple bruises and scratches in the alleged assault.

The third woman, who police have not been able to identify, is alleged to have held the victim down while Jones and Richardson committed the alleged assaults, Short said.

Hayse found probable cause following Short’s testimony to send the amended charges to a grand jury. Jones is free on bond, while Richardson’s bond was reduced to a 10 percent bond of $10,000.



Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.