Michael Lee Eppenbaugh
WARSAW — A November burglary has led to the arrest of Michael Lee Eppenbaugh, 34, 5974 E. McKenna Road, Warsaw.
Officers with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded Nov. 2, 2015, to reports of a burglary at an undisclosed address. They arrived and spoke with the homeowners, Donald Johnston and his wife, Patricia, had arrived home to find a blue Ford Mustang parked near the side door of the residence. They parked their truck in a way that blocked the Mustang in and Donald Johnston went around to the back.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, when Donald entered the home, he found Eppenbaugh, whom he has known for approximately 20 years. Meanwhile, Patricia had gone to the Mustang and found several items belonging to her and her husband, including a coin collection; two safes containing money, prescription medications, personal papers, jewelry and a wallet; an Xbox and Xbox games; computer games; change; and cigars.
Court documents go on to say that when Eppenbaugh exited the home, he ran to the vehicle and attempted to remove Patricia’s IV, which is connected to an artery. She told police removing the IV would have caused her to bleed to death. Eppenbaugh also allegedly pushed her down, causing injuries to her knee, arm, left wrist and right thumb.
Eppenbaugh then reportedly entered the vehicle and used it to repeatedly hit the Johnstons’ truck before making an escape. Donald told police he attempted to follow Eppenbaugh but lost him.
Eppenbaugh was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail Wednesday, June 29, on a $20,250 cash and surety bond.