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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Homeless couple behind bars after neighbor reports break-in at Belleview home

A man and woman who claimed they were homeless and looking for an unoccupied home where they could “squat” were arrested Monday after allegedly breaking into a residence in Belleview.

Jermichael Joseph Weston and Carrie Jean Johnson

Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to a “suspicious persons” call at a home on SE 110th Street. A neighbor who was keeping an eye on the house while the homeowner was out of town said she observed a GMC Envoy parked in front and a woman walking around the side of the residence. The neighbor asked her what she was doing and she said she was looking to see if the house was for rent, despite there being no signs indicating the residence is either for sale or for rent, a sheriff’s office report states.

The woman, 35-year-old Carrie Jean Johnson, provided the same explanation to a deputy while a detective conducted a security check. Upon reaching the back of the home, the detective found a black-and-red Ohio State leather jacket, a model airplane, a collector’s plate, a Blu-ray player and a pair of sneakers – total value estimated at $300 – piled near a walkway. He also saw the sliding glass door was shattered, the report says.

The detective made contact with a man inside the house, 24-year-old Jermichael Joseph Weston, who came out with his hands up. Johnson and Weston were both detained. Johnson gave the detective permission to search her vehicle and he found a blue cigarette pack containing a clear plastic bag and a piece of tinfoil containing a brown powdery substance that field tested positive for Fentanyl, the report says.

Johnson and Weston were taken to the South-Multi District office, where they were interviewed. Weston said he and Johnson are homeless and were looking for a place to “squat.” He said when they arrived at the residence, Johnson went in first, leaving him at her car.

Weston said he joined her inside the residence and noticed the shattered door and saw Johnson moving boxes. He said he lost track of Johnson inside the home and was eventually confronted by the detective. Weston denied removing the property from the home, the report says.

Johnson said at first that she was looking to rent the residence, but she later said she heard it was previously burglarized and that there may be firearms inside. She said she and Weston went there looking for firearms and that she did remove a rifle that was on the couch and leaned it up against the front door. Johnson also denied removing the property from the residence.

Regarding the Fentanyl, Johnson said it belonged to Weston, while Weston said it belonged to Johnson, the report says.

Johnson and Weston were charged with burglary, grand theft of between $300 and $5,000, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. Both are being held in the Marion County Jail, with Johnson’s bond set at $29,000 and Weston’s at $35,000. They’re both due in Marion County Court on April 2.