Security camera reveals break-in while homeowner sleeps, image leads to arrest

DONIPHAN — A preliminary hearing will be held May 22 for a man who broke into a home in Doniphan while its residents were asleep.

Heber C. Young, 23, was arraigned Thursday in Ripley County Circuit Court.

Young, who is homeless, reportedly told Doniphan police he was ‘starving’ when he allegedly entered a residence on Fox Drive around 3 a.m. one night and stole food while the homeowner was sleeping.

He is charged with felony first-degree burglary and misdemeanor stealing. The burglary is alleged to have occurred Tuesday, April 30.

The homeowner told police he was unaware someone had been inside his residence until later that day when he reviewed photos from a security camera.

The photos show a man entering the home and leaving about six minutes later with several items in his hands. The homeowner posted photos of the suspect on social media.

Young was arrested about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, at the Doniphan High School ball park after police received information that a suspect was there that appeared to be the man in the photos.

Police said the suspect gave his name and said he was from Colorado City, Arizona.

The suspect reportedly told police that he had been camping for about 10 days in a wooded area near the community garden on Cherry Street.

In a felony complaint filed by assistant prosecutor Matt Michel, Young was charged as a prior offender for a Jan. 4, 2019, felony conviction in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. According to court documents, Young was found guilty of possessing a stolen vehicle from events that occurred on Dec. 11, 2018.