Burton
A wanted Columbus man authorities describe as a serious violent felon was arrested early Tuesday morning after a multi-agency effort, according to the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department.
Steven Burton, 46, of Columbus, was arrested on suspicion of Level 5 felony intimidation with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor resisting law enforcement after investigators found him at a home on Whippoorwill Drive in Seymour, the sheriff’s department said. He also had outstanding criminal warrants from Bartholomew County.
The sheriff’s department said that during the early morning hours of September 3, Jennings County Sheriff’s K9 Sergeant John Amis began investigating a report of intimidation from a woman who said Burton had been sending threatening messages, including photos and videos displaying a firearm.
Upon learning of Burton’s whereabouts, Amis contacted law enforcement in Seymour and Jackson County.
“At this point deputies from the Jennings County Sheriffs Office, Jackson County Sheriffs Office, and officers from the Seymour Police Department responded to the residence on Whippoorwill Drive in an attempt to locate (Burton),” the department said in a news release. “While on scene, law enforcement learned that Mr. Burton was residing in a garage on the property. While standing outside of the garage deputies could hear a phone ringing and a voice talking inside of the garage.
“After multiple failed attempts to get Burton to exit the garage, consent from the homeowners was given to make entry into the garage. Law enforcement on scene had to force entry into the garage due to the doors being locked from the inside,” the statement said.
“Upon making entry into the garage, Burton was located hiding under multiple articles of clothing and various garage tools. While attempting to place Burton into custody a brief struggle occurred. Burton was ultimately placed into custody without further incident. Mr. Burton was taken back to Jennings County where he was transported to St. Vincent Jennings Hospital for evaluation. Burton was then transported to the Jennings County Jail,” where he initially was held on $1,055 bond.
In addition to the charges related to this incident, Burton also has warrants in Bartholomew County for two counts of Level 6 felony invasion of privacy with a prior arrest and misdemeanor counts of domestic battery and conversion, the sheriff’s department said.
Chief Deputy Cody Low commented on the incident, “The collaboration between the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Seymour Police Department was crucial in ensuring a safe and effective resolution to this incident. By working together and sharing resources, we were able to quickly apprehend a dangerous individual and protect our community from further harm. This outcome is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of all agencies involved.”
