Jasper police make arrest in burglary cases

Jasper — On Wednesday, a Boonville man was charged for several thefts related to an investigation into a series of burglaries that occurred in neighborhoods on the north and west side of Jasper in April.

According to police, they received the first report of a burglary from a homeowner April 13. Over the next week, two more thefts were reported and during one, a homeowner confronted the suspect who left then left.

During the course of the investigation, police were able to determine that Daniel M. Topper, 45, of 1655 S. Center Road, had been part of a construction company that had worked on projects at the three victims’ homes. According to police, Topper was fired from the construction company and once he was unemployed, returned to the homes and stole several items with a total value of about $3,400. Those items included a tile saw, a 14-inch diamond bit tile saw blade, a Stihl chainsaw, a 42 inch flatscreen TV, and a trolling motor with its battery.

Topper reported to the Jasper Police Department after police contacted him about the crimes. During the course of the interview at the station, he admitted to the crimes.

Police charged Topper with Level 5 counts of burglary and theft. He was also charged with two counts of class A misdemeanor theft. He was booked into the Dubois County Security Center at 2:30 p.m.