Butler County Sheriff's Office

[Public Info Officer]

For Immediate Release… October 10, 2011

Car Stop Leads to Burglary Charge, Leads to Illegal Growing Operation

Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones reports a routine “car stop” in Middletown turned into quite an ordeal today. Beginning around 9 am this morning, a Deputy stopped a vehicle on Tytus Avenue near Broad Street for a minor traffic offense. Inside the vehicle, several guns, some marijuana plants, miscellaneous tools, a tv, and other items were discovered. One of the occupants of the vehicle stated the items all came from his relative’s house that they had just burglarized. Dustin Collinsworth, age 26, with no current address listed, was arrested and charged with Burglary (felony 2). Johnathan Long, age 20, of Hamilton and Phillip McElfresh, age 28, also of Hamilton, were both charged with Complicity to the Burglary (also felony 2). Collinsworth and Long were taken to the Middletown City Jail. McElfresh, who also had an outstanding capias warrant from Butler County Common Pleas Court, was taken to the Butler County Jail.

Additional Deputies responded to 7991 Thomas Road, Middletown, where they discovered the home had, in fact, been burglarized with a door remaining open. While conducting a security sweep of that residence to ensure there were no other persons still burglarizing and/or no injured victims inside, the Deputies came across a small, active marijauana “grow operation” inside the house. A search warrant was obtained and a small number of marijuana plants and growing equipment were confiscated. The investigation into the grow operation continues. Charges are expected at the conclusion of that investigation.

Prepared by: Sgt. Monte Mayer
Public Information Officer
Operations Support