Deputies: Teen neighbor rifled sheds

The 17-year-old is accused of stealing tools and equipment from back yards in Spring Hill.

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 10, 2008

SPRING HILL - John Harshbarger told authorities that he needed money to pay his probation costs, and so he turned to his neighbors. The problem is, he didn't tell them they contributed to his cause.

Harshbarger was arrested Wednesday on 12 counts of burglary and accused of taking bolt cutters to the locks on his neighbors' backyard sheds, breaking in and stealing thousands of dollars worth of tools and equipment.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound 17-year-old told deputies that he wore a ski mask when he broke into the sheds, all of which were within walking distance of his home, so that his neighbors would not recognize him. He said he sold the items on the street.

The burglaries were all committed between Nov. 1 and Dec. 17 near Harshbarger's home at 1368 Alameda Drive, according to the arrest report. Sheds on Alameda Drive, Glancy Lane, Trinidad Avenue, Genter Drive, Amboy Street, Corinthian Street, Deep Creek Drive and Trout Court were targets.

Items taken include a chain saw, various tool boxes, electric saws, grinders, at least two generators, a nail gun, a dirt bike, a gas can filled with $25 worth of gasoline, and a snowboard.

One of the stolen generators and a nail gun were found in a vacant house next to Harshbarger's house, and he admitted to investigators that he broke into the house and stashed the items, the arrest report states.

The generator was returned to its owner.

[Last modified January 9, 2008, 21:34:57]