Two arrested for Wednesday break-in

A Whitley County resident surprised two burglars inside his home and chased them from his property Wednesday.

Whitley County Sheriff’s deputies charged Donald Ray Hurst, 42, of 205 Hattie Lambdin Road, and Daniel Allen Nix, 33, of 451 Possum Creek Road, with a second-degree burglary.

On May 30, the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department received a report about a burglary in progress at Leroy Sands’ Lewis Strunk Road residence.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Lennon and Deputy Brian Lawson responded, and Lennon captured Nix along the road about 4:40 p.m., according to a press release from Sheriff Colan Harrell.

Deputy Shawn Jackson captured Hurst about 8 p.m. at his residence.

Nix admitted his part in the burglary when police questioned him and told authorities that "the two fled the scene" when the property owner arrived, Jackson wrote on an arrest citation.

A small amount cash and some prescription medication were taken during the burglary, Harrell said in the release.

Nix and Hurst are being held in the Whitley County Detention Center in lieu of $25,000 cash bonds.

District Judge Fred White entered not guilty pleas on their behalf during their arraignments Thursday afternoon. White scheduled June 4 preliminary hearings for both men and appointed the public advocate’s office to represent them.

During the hearing, White rejected requests to lower the bonds to a property bond, but said the bonds might be reconsidered during Monday’s hearing.

"The theft was against me," Hurst started to tell White before White cut him off and advised him that he was better off not to speak about his case until he talked with an attorney.

Deputy John Hill also assisted with the investigation.