2 suspects plead not guilty in Van Wert break-in case

4/13/2006

VAN WERT, Ohio - Two men accused of breaking into the home of a former Van Wert police officer pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges contained in a Van Wert County grand jury indictment.

Benjamin T. Young, 18, and Joshua L. Highsmith, 23, of Van Wert are charged with breaking and entering. Mr. Young's address was unavailable.

The pair were arrested on March 28 inside an unoccupied home owned by Chuck Langdon, a former police officer who had received a call from a neighbor regarding suspicious activity at his mother's former home on Woodlawn Ave.

Police said Mr. Langdon and his daughter went to the residence and found Mr. Young and Mr. Highsmith inside, where they were apparently living.

Judge Charles Steele ordered Mr. Young held on a $10,000 cash bond and $5,000 unsecured personal surety bond since he has no permanent home. Mr. Highsmith was freed on a $5,000 unsecured bond.