Michael B. Groce, 27, of Glasgow, was arrested early Monday after he was alleged to have burglarized a home along North Jackson Highway.
(BARREN CO. DETENTION CENTER)
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Police responded to a burglary in progress along North Jackson Highway Sunday evening and later found the suspected burglar at a local convenience store.
Officers were notified of the incident and responded to 2190 N. Jackson Highway at 9:53 p.m., according to police records. Dispatch notified police that the homeowner had an armed person at gunpoint. The suspect was later identified as 27-year-old Michael B. Groce.
The homeowner was not identified in police records. He told police in an interview that Groce followed his commands to drop his weapon and to leave the residence. The homeowner apparently walked the suspect out while holding him at gunpoint.
The victim told police he was asleep and was awakened by a light from a nearby bedroom. He lives alone, according to police records. He grabbed his firearm and went to investigate the light.
That’s when he came face-to-face with Groce, who was holding a revolver-style handgun. The burglar told the homeowner “his name was Mike and that he lived by the old jail,” a citation said.
He also indicated to the homeowner a second person was inside the residence, but a later investigation did not find anyone inside the home.
Detectives later responded to the scene and found burglary tools, two loaded handguns with ammunition and a backpack containing items from the home. Police said Groce entered the home through a glass pane door at the frontside of the residence. Burglary tools were located on a nearby patio table, according to a citation.
Police also found evidence of the suspect’s search through much of the home’s cabinets, drawers, closets, jewelry stands, desks and personal safes. Silver dining utensils were also discovered inside the kitchen area inside a bag.
Officers recognized the description of Groce provided by the homeowner and his residence description near the “old jail.” They later observed Groce entering Five Star along Happy Valley Road on Monday around 2:10 a.m.
The suspect was arrested and transported to the Glasgow Police Department where he refused to speak with police. The homeowner was able to confirm Groce was the alleged suspect he saw inside his home.
Groce remains lodged at the Barren County Detention Center on a $10,000 cash bond. He’s charged with first degree burglary.
