MITCHELL– A Mitchell man was arrested Tuesday morning after being caught inside a vacant home on West Frank Street, allegedly attempting to tamper with electrical equipment.
At approximately 10:54 a.m., Mitchell Police Department (MPD) receptionist Mary Bock received a call from a local resident, who reported seeing a male suspect enter a vacant house at the corner of 5th and Frank Street by pulling back plywood covering an entrance.
Officer Troy Lobosky responded to the scene, where he found a Duke Energy electric meter lying in the yard of a residence in the 500 block of West Frank Street. As he checked the property, he discovered that the plywood securing an east-side door had been removed. Hearing noises from inside, Lobosky entered and found a man, later identified as Daniel McKenzie, kneeling on the floor and tampering with the electrical box.
McKenzie, dressed in black pants, a white and black coat, and athletic shoes, appeared surprised when confronted. He attempted to grab a white box containing tools and trash bags but was ordered to place it on the floor. After securing him in handcuffs, Lobosky searched McKenzie and found a blue Duke Energy security tag, a bent green deck screw matching those used to secure the plywood, and a yellow plastic device labeled “meter disconnect device” by Ekstrom. McKenzie also had a broken cell phone and a brown wallet containing his identification.
McKenzie claimed he had permission to enter the house from an unidentified person behind it and said he was in talks to purchase and flip it. However, the property, owned by Radius Indiana, was confirmed to be unoccupied and restricted to authorized personnel only.
Inside McKenzie’s box, officers found a Leatherman tool with an extended knife blade and Phillips screwdriver attachment, both showing fresh marks, as well as a partially rusted 7/8-inch wrench.
McKenzie was transported to jail on charges of burglary and criminal trespassing.
Following the arrest, officers received a call from a neighbor, who reported a power outage at her residence, in the 500 block of West Frank Street, where the energy meter was seen in the yard earlier. A Duke Energy technician later discovered that her electric meter had been stolen. Upon checking serial numbers, Duke Energy confirmed that the meter found in McKenzie’s possession belonged to the home.
The homeowner stated that she first noticed the power outage around 8 a.m. when her porch light was off. After checking her breakers and finding no issues, she contacted Duke Energy.
McKenzie now faces additional charges, including theft, in connection with the stolen meter. The case remains under investigation.
Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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