News Summary

MIDDLETOWN — Two Franklin men have been arrested by the Butler County Sheriff's Office in connection with a string of daytime burglaries in three counties, including Wayne and Madison townships in Butler County, over the past three months.

Bradley Alcorn, 28, of Lake Avenue, and Johnny Sorrell, 27, of Willard Drive, were taken into custody Wednesday, April 23, after a search warrant was executed at the Lake Avenue residence. Both men are charged with one count of burglary and receiving stolen property. More charges are expected once the case is presented to a grand jury, according to sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Riegert.

Deputies and Franklin police found guns, electronics and jewelry wrapped up in blankets under kitchen cabinets at the home. More items, believed to stolen, were found in car trunks.

Items recovered include loot taken in burglaries in Gratis Twp. in Preble County and German and Jackson Twps. in Montgomery County, he said.

Riegert said after months of investigation, information was developed about a vehicle that pointed officers to the Franklin men.

The duo is believed to be responsible for 13 burglaries that occurred between 8:30 a.m. and noon in rural locations while residents were at work or school.

"They were darn good at it," Riegert said.

The thieves were forcing in doors then grabbing anything they could sell for quick cash, Riegert said.

Alcorn and Sorrell are housed in the Middletown City Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond. They are scheduled to appear at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Middletown Municipal Court.

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