On September 23, 2021 the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit issued a Crime Alert regarding numerous break ins and thefts from businesses in the eastern part of Marion County. A suspect and vehicle were identified as a result of video footage from several of those businesses. Investigation revealed this same vehicle was found to have been involved in several business break ins in Crawford County as well.
On September 28, 2021 at approximately 4:30 AM this vehicle was located by a Deputy from the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office at one of their local businesses. This contact lead to a joint investigation involving the Crawford County, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion Police Department. A search warrant was obtained for a residence on N. Prospect Street in Marion and was executed by members of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion Police Department. Numerous items from several of the reported burglaries in Marion and Crawford county were located in the residence.
A male from this residence was interviewed and ultimately confessed to being responsible for all of the break ins in Marion and Crawford County. Dalton Close was arrested and is being held pending formal charges on two counts of Breaking and Entering, further charges are expected.
Sheriff Matt Bayles stated “The community continues to be our eyes and ears and were instrumental in solving this string of crimes” he also thanked the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Unit, the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and the Marion Police Department for their teamwork on this case and putting this thief behind bars.
Arrested: Dalton Ray Close DOB 10/16/92, 920 N. Prospect St. Marion, Ohio 43302
If anyone has any information pertaining to this incident, please contact Captain Ken Rittenour at 740-382-8244 ext. 5114.