Joseph Hittler, 20, of Hillsboro and Nathan Hochthurn, 20, of Eureka each have been charged with a felony for allegedly burglarizing a home in the 5100 block of Waters Edge Drive in the Hillsboro area, says Capt. Ron Arnhart of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Hittler’s parents live at the home, Arnhart said.
The burglary occurred about 3 p.m. March 12, while two people were asleep at the home, authorities reported.
A Hewlett-Packard computer, monitor and keyboard, altogether valued at about $600, allegedly were stolen, the report said.
All the items were recovered and returned to the owner, Arnhart said.
Hittler and his girlfriend had previously lived at the home but had been asked to move out on March 10, according to the probable-cause statement.
On March 12, after the two had moved out, Hittler allegedly called one of his parents and asked her to meet him at a nearby clubhouse and bring him some money and clothing, but when the parent arrived at the clubhouse, Hittler was not there, the report said.
Hochthurn allegedly gave Hittler and his girlfriend a ride to the neighborhood and parked near the home.
Then, after Hittler’s parent left to meet him, he allegedly walked to the home, went inside and stole the computer equipment, according to the report.
The victim told deputies she returned to her home after Hittler wasn’t at the clubhouse and saw him inside a vehicle that was leaving the area, so she followed it for a while and called 911, the Sheriff’s Office reported.
After the three drove away, deputies stopped them shortly after and reportedly found the computer equipment inside the vehicle, according to the report.
Hittler allegedly told deputies he planned to sell the computer equipment for money to rent a motel room, the report said.
Hochthurn reportedly told deputies Hittler had asked for a ride and told him he planned to steal items from the home, according to the probable-cause statement.
Both Hittler and Hochthurn were charged March 13 with burglary in the first degree, a class B felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison.
Hittler was released from jail on March 14, and Hochthurn was still in jail on Tuesday, according to court documents.
A third person – an 18-year-old St. John woman – also was arrested in connection with the case, but was released without being charged, pending review by the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Arnhart said.
--Kim Robertson
