Hozey Through the assistance of mass media print of a convenience store suspect's video image and the immediate response of Grant County law enforcement, authorities in Carroll and Cass counties have charged two suspects involved in burglaries Aug. 28.

Michael P. Hozey, 30, and Randall S. Spry, 21, both of Kokomo, have each been charged in Carroll County with two counts of burglary, a class C felony. Their initial bonds were set at $20,000 surety and $500 cash.

County police investigated burglaries in which the suspect had thrown either a rock or concrete block through windows of the businesses to gain entry. Once inside, a suspect was caught on store video tampering with items.

The businesses specifically targeted in Carroll County were convenience stores - Spirit of Flora and Burlington Maramart.

Cass County Sheriff's Detective Brad Sommers also

had investigated a burglary at Mr. J's Pizza and More in Young America that occurred the same morning.

At approximately 4 a.m., Hozey and Spry were apprehended by Grant County sheriff's officers and Swayzee Marshal Rob Shafer as they were taking merchandise from a Swayzee business.

Spry Hozey and Spry attempted to elude police in a Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicle, leading Swayzee and Grant County police on a chase, ending with the suspect vehicle crashing and the two men being taken into custody. Both men were incarcerated in the Grant County Jail but Spry later posted bond and was released.

Marshal Shafer later read a newspaper account of the crimes in Carroll and Cass counties. He recognized the suspect in the photo printed as being Spry and contacted Carroll County investigators Steve Mullin and Kevin Hammond and provided the information which led to the pairs' arrests in Carroll County.

Spry is currently incarcerated in Howard County Jail, awaiting transfer to the Carroll County Jail in Delphi. Hozey remains jailed in Grant County Jail in Marion, awaiting local charges there.

"This was a valiant team effort," said Hammond. "Combining information put out by the media in helping to identify these suspects and the quick reaction and thinking of Grant County law enforcement all culminated into these individuals being located, identified, and detained. Everything just came together."

Carroll and Cass County authorities continue to follow up on information involving these crimes.